Consider this a challenge for partners in committed relationships who are fans of scary movies: Get comfortable with your significant other and view Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its online premiere via Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like standard physical horror, but within Together exists a intense contemplation about the ways we decide to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have been together for ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a special spark to their characters, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The plot commences when Tim and Millie transition from the urban environment to the country for her career. A familiar plot device, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the conventions conclude. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists tumble into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence begins influencing the couple. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying horror experience, interspersing bits of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes during something horrific). Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and wraps them up in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and removed from his support system. He dreads the notion of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is amplified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision is that he never makes either of his characters the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie face the kind of problems that are inherent in long-term unions after ten years. Deep down, they continue to care for one another. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these anxieties of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to another person, the symbolism does not come across as overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your partner and state, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can undertake today.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu now.
