Here's a challenge for long-term couples who enjoy horror films: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. On the surface, it could look like typical biological terror, but inside Together lies a intense examination about the ways we decide to love one another.
A Debut Feature Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together represents the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for over ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a particular energy to their characters, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The story starts when Tim and Millie transition from the metropolis to the rural area for her career. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s mostly where the cliches cease. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists discover an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a strange force begins influencing the pair. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a slow burn of scares, weaving in bits of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes amidst something horrific). The director orchestrates these parts expertly and presents them in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and removed from his support system. He dreads the notion of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he can’t drive and needs Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he avoids making one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
The couple confront the kind of problems that are inherent in most partnerships after ten years. At their core, they still love each other. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory avoids being overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. It has been said that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Conversely, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could act as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply look at your partner and state, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can experience at this very moment.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform now.
