We present a dare for partners in committed relationships who appreciate the horror genre: Sit down with your loved one and stream Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. On the surface, it may seem like standard body horror, but inside Together lies a profound meditation about how we choose to love our partners.
A Debut Feature Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, the actors infuse a particular energy to their characters, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The plot starts when Tim and Millie relocate from the big city to the country for her career. A commonly used plot device, sure, but that’s largely where the cliches end. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the protagonists tumble into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a strange force takes hold of the duo. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying horror experience, blending moments of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) body horror, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes during something grotesque). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and delivers them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and far away from his social circle. He is terrified of the notion of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is intensified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie avoids making either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie face the kind of problems that arise in most partnerships a decade in. Deep down, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these anxieties of codependency and fully committing to another person, the allegory never feels hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Conversely, some couples having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the finale plant anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply turn to your other half and state, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can embark on right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu at present.
