Here's a test for partners in committed relationships who appreciate the horror genre: Get comfortable with your partner and stream Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like conventional biological terror, but within Together exists a deep contemplation about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have been together for a decade. Having wed in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a special spark to their characters, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The plot commences when the couple move from the big city to the rural area for her career. A commonly used plot device, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the cliches end. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim fall into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence takes hold of the couple. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying horror experience, interspersing bits of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but never too gross) body horror, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes amidst something disturbing). The director weaves these elements together expertly and wraps them up in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is only the two lead actors, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and distant from his support system. He dreads the notion of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie refrains from painting one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Both characters confront the type of challenges that arise in any relationship over a long period. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, offer support, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the symbolism never feels hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion inspire anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your significant other and say, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can undertake today.
Together is streaming on Hulu at present.
