Here's a test for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of scary movies: Get comfortable with your partner and view Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its online premiere via Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like conventional body horror, but inside Together exists a profound meditation about how we choose to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have remained a couple for a decade. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the two stars contribute a unique chemistry to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The story commences when Millie and Tim relocate from the urban environment to the rural area for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical story element, sure, but that’s mostly where the cliches conclude. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the two fall into an underground cave. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence starts to affect the duo. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a slow burn horror experience, blending elements of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and delivers them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is only the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and distant from his network of friends. He fears the notion of totally forfeiting his sense of self in his partner. This fear is intensified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he never makes either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters face the type of challenges that arise in any relationship after ten years. At their core, they continue to care for one another. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these anxieties of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor avoids being hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. On the other hand, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could act as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply look at your other half and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can experience today.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
