We present a challenge for long-term couples who enjoy horror films: Settle in with your significant other and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it might appear like typical physical horror, but inside Together exists a profound meditation about the ways we decide to love our partners.
A Debut Feature Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for ten years. Married in reality in 2017, the actors contribute a unique chemistry to their roles, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The story commences when Millie and Tim transition from the big city to the country for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical story element, sure, but that’s mostly where the cliches conclude. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim fall into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity begins influencing the pair. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a slow burn of scares, weaving in elements of fever-dream horrors, gross (but never too gross) physical transformations, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and delivers them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and removed from his network of friends. He fears the concept of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in another person. This fear is intensified by the reality he can’t drive and needs Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in Together avoids making one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Both characters confront the type of challenges that arise in any relationship after ten years. Deep down, they still love one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism avoids being hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could function as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your other half and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can experience today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform at present.
