We present a test for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of scary movies: 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 typical biological terror, but inside Together lies a deep contemplation about how we choose to love our partners.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for a decade. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars contribute a unique chemistry to their roles, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The story begins when Millie and Tim transition from the big city to the country for her career. A familiar plot device, of course, but that’s mostly where the tropes conclude. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the two tumble into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity takes hold of the duo. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The entire film is a slow burn fright fest, weaving in elements of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and removed from his support system. He dreads the concept of totally forfeiting his sense of self in his partner. This fear is amplified by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie avoids making one partner or the other the obvious villain.
The couple grapple with the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship after ten years. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these anxieties of codependency and totally devoting oneself to another person, the metaphor never feels clumsy or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Conversely, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your significant other and say, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can embark on today.
Together is streaming on Hulu now.
