We present a test for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate scary movies: Settle in with your loved one and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit recently had its streaming debut via Hulu. Outwardly, it may seem like typical body horror, but inside Together resides a profound meditation about how we choose to love each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together represents the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have been together for over ten years. Married in reality in 2017, the two stars bring a particular energy to their characters, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The story starts when the couple move from the urban environment to the country for her career. A familiar plot device, sure, but that’s mostly where the cliches cease. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the two tumble into an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a strange force begins influencing the duo. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying of scares, weaving in elements of fever-dream horrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and delivers them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and far away from his support system. He dreads the idea of completely losing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he refrains from painting Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie face the kind of problems that are inherent in any relationship over a long period. Deep down, they still love one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these concerns of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the symbolism never feels overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Conversely, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could act as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion plant anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply turn to your partner and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can embark on today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu at present.
