Consider this a test for partners in committed relationships who appreciate scary movies: Settle in with your partner and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. At first glance, it could look like standard physical horror, but inside Together exists a intense examination about our choices in loving each other.
A Debut Feature Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for over ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the two stars contribute a unique chemistry to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The story starts when the couple move from the big city to the rural area for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s primarily where the conventions end. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the protagonists discover an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity starts to affect the duo. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying of scares, blending elements of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but never too gross) body horror, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes amidst something disturbing). The director skillfully blends these components expertly and presents them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and far away from his social circle. He dreads the notion of completely losing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is amplified by the fact he can’t drive and needs Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision in Together refrains from painting Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie grapple with the kind of problems that come with most partnerships over a long period. Fundamentally, they still love one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these fears of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory never feels overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a powerful case for staying single. Meanwhile, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could act as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the ending plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your partner and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can embark on today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
