Here's a test for partners in committed relationships who are fans of the horror genre: Settle in with your significant other and watch Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like typical body horror, but inside Together resides a profound examination about how we choose to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together is 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 stayed together for ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, the actors contribute a special spark to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The story starts when Millie and Tim move from the urban environment to the country for her career. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the tropes cease. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim discover an underground cave. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity begins influencing the duo. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a methodically building fright fest, interspersing moments of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and delivers them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and distant from his support system. He is terrified of the idea of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together never makes Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
The couple face the type of challenges that are inherent in long-term unions after ten years. Deep down, they still love one another. They share moments of joy, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of excessive reliance and fully committing to another person, the metaphor does not come across as overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a powerful case for staying single. On the other hand, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could act as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale plant anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply look at your significant other and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu now.
