Consider this a test for long-term couples who enjoy scary movies: Settle in with your loved one and view Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its online premiere on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it might appear like typical body horror, but beneath Together resides a profound examination about our choices in loving each other.
A Directorial Debut Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together represents the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, the two stars bring a particular energy to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The plot commences when Millie and Tim transition from the big city to the rural area for her career. A familiar plot device, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the cliches cease. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists tumble into an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence begins influencing the couple. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past simple connection.
The whole movie is a methodically building horror experience, blending moments of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and removed from his network of friends. He is terrified of the notion of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is intensified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he never makes one partner or the other the obvious villain.
The couple confront the type of challenges that arise in most partnerships after ten years. Fundamentally, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these concerns of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to another person, the allegory avoids being clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. It has been said that single viewers have understood the narrative as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Conversely, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could function as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply turn to your partner and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu at present.
