Here's a dare for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy the horror genre: Sit down with your significant other and watch Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its online premiere on Hulu. On the surface, it could look like typical physical horror, but beneath Together exists a deep examination about our choices in loving each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together marks the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for a decade. Having wed in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a particular energy to their roles, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The plot starts when the couple relocate from the big city to the country for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s primarily where the cliches end. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the two tumble into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence takes hold of the couple. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a slow burn horror experience, interspersing bits of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and delivers them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is suffering due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and removed from his support system. He fears the idea of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he can’t drive and needs Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie never makes Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Both characters confront the sort of issues that are inherent in long-term unions after ten years. At their core, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the symbolism avoids being clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Conversely, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the finale plant anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your other half and state, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can undertake today.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform now.
