Consider this a test for partners in committed relationships who are fans of horror films: Get comfortable with your significant other and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its streaming debut via Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like typical physical horror, but inside Together lies a deep meditation about how we choose to love one another.
A Debut Feature Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for over ten years. Married in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a special spark to their characters, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The narrative commences when Tim and Millie move from the big city to the country for her career. A familiar narrative setup, sure, but that’s largely where the tropes end. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their new home, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim discover an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity starts to affect the pair. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The whole movie is a slow burn horror experience, weaving in moments of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes amidst something horrific). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and presents them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is waning due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and removed from his network of friends. He is terrified of the concept of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision is that he never makes either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Both characters face the sort of issues that are inherent in most partnerships over a long period. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a powerful case for staying single. Meanwhile, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could act as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your significant other and state, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can embark on today.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
