Consider this a challenge for partners in committed relationships who appreciate scary movies: Sit down with your significant other and watch Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its online premiere on the Hulu service. On the surface, it could look like typical physical horror, but beneath Together exists a deep contemplation about how we choose to love one another.
An Introductory Film Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together represents the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for over ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the actors contribute a particular energy to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The narrative begins when the couple move from the big city to the country for Millie’s job. A familiar plot device, admittedly, but that’s largely where the cliches conclude. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their country house, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim tumble into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a strange force begins influencing the duo. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a methodically building fright fest, weaving in elements of dreamlike terrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes during something disturbing). Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and far away from his support system. He dreads the idea of completely losing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together never makes Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie confront the sort of issues that come with most partnerships a decade in. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They find humor with each other, offer support, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism avoids being hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for staying single. Conversely, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could function as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the ending plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply look at your other half and say, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform now.
