Here's a dare for long-term couples who are fans of the horror genre: Settle in with your loved one and stream Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like typical body horror, but beneath Together lies a profound examination about the ways we decide to love our partners.
A Debut Feature Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together is the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the two stars infuse a particular energy to their roles, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The plot starts when Tim and Millie relocate from the urban environment to the rural area for professional reasons. A commonly used narrative setup, of course, but that’s largely where the tropes conclude. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the two discover an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity takes hold of the duo. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The entire film is a slow burn fright fest, weaving in moments of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but never too gross) body horror, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and delivers them in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his floundering music career gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and removed from his network of friends. He dreads the concept of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he refrains from painting Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Both characters confront the type of challenges that come with long-term unions after ten years. At their core, they continue to care for one another. They share moments of joy, offer support, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these fears of codependency and fully committing to another person, the symbolism avoids being clumsy or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Conversely, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could act as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion sow anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply turn to your other half and utter, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can undertake today.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform now.
