We present a test for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of scary movies: Get comfortable with your loved one and view Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like standard physical horror, but inside Together exists a intense contemplation about how we choose to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for over ten years. Having wed in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a particular energy to their characters, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The plot commences when Millie and Tim transition from the urban environment to the rural area for her career. A commonly used narrative setup, sure, but that’s mostly where the conventions conclude. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the two tumble into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence begins influencing the duo. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying horror experience, interspersing elements of dreamlike terrors, gross (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes amidst something horrific). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and delivers them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is suffering due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and far away from his social circle. He dreads the idea of totally forfeiting his individual identity in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he can’t drive and relies on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together refrains from painting Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Both characters grapple with the sort of issues that come with most partnerships after ten years. Deep down, they continue to care for each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these anxieties of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the allegory avoids being overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights work together symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. It has been said that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. On the other hand, some couples who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could act as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your partner and state, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can undertake right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform now.
