We present a dare for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate horror films: Sit down with your loved one and view Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. At first glance, it could look like typical physical horror, but beneath Together exists a deep examination about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a unique chemistry to their roles, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The plot starts when the couple relocate from the big city to the country for professional reasons. A commonly used story element, of course, but that’s primarily where the conventions cease. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their country house, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim fall into an underground cave. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence takes hold of the duo. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a methodically building of scares, blending bits of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but never too gross) body horror, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and presents them in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is only the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and far away from his network of friends. He is terrified of the idea of totally forfeiting his individual identity in his partner. This fear is intensified by the fact he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie avoids making Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie face the type of challenges that arise in most partnerships over a long period. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these fears of codependency and totally devoting oneself to another person, the allegory does not come across as overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Conversely, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could act as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the finale plant anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your significant other and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can undertake right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu now.
