Here's a test for partners in committed relationships who enjoy scary movies: Get comfortable with your loved one and watch Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like standard body horror, but within Together exists a intense examination about our choices in loving our partners.
An Introductory Film Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a unique chemistry to their roles, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The plot begins when Millie and Tim transition from the urban environment to the countryside for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s mostly where the tropes cease. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim tumble into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity takes hold of the pair. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a methodically building fright fest, blending moments of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and wraps them up in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and far away from his network of friends. He fears the idea of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie avoids making either of his characters the obvious villain.
The couple face the type of challenges that are inherent in most partnerships after ten years. At their core, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these anxieties of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism avoids being hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. Conversely, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale plant anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your significant other and state, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can embark on right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform at present.
