Here's a challenge for long-term couples who enjoy scary movies: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its streaming debut on Hulu. At first glance, it might appear like typical body horror, but within Together resides a deep contemplation about our choices in loving our partners.
An Introductory Film Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, partners that have remained a couple for over ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the two stars bring a particular energy to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The story commences when Tim and Millie transition from the urban environment to the country for professional reasons. A familiar story element, sure, but that’s largely where the cliches conclude. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their new home, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim tumble into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a strange force starts to affect the couple. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The whole movie is a methodically building horror experience, interspersing moments of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and removed from his network of friends. He dreads the idea of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie avoids making Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Both characters face the sort of issues that come with any relationship over a long period. Fundamentally, they still love each other. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism never feels hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. Conversely, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the ending inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your other half and say, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can experience today.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform at present.
