Here's a challenge for partners in committed relationships who appreciate scary movies: Settle in with your loved one and view Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its streaming debut via Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like standard body horror, but within Together exists a profound examination about the ways we decide to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together represents the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have remained a couple for a decade. Married in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a special spark to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The plot starts when the couple move from the big city to the rural area for Millie’s job. A commonly used story element, admittedly, but that’s largely where the cliches conclude. Together evolves into 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 new home, a violent storm occurs, and the two discover an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a strange force begins influencing the couple. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The whole movie is a slow burn fright fest, blending elements of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but tastefully done) body horror, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and presents them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and far away from his support system. He is terrified of the concept of completely losing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie avoids making either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie face the kind of problems that come with most partnerships after ten years. Deep down, they still love each other. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism avoids being clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that single viewers have seen the movie as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could function as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the finale inspire anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your partner and state, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu now.
