We present a dare for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy horror films: Sit down with your significant other and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its streaming debut on Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like conventional biological terror, but within Together exists a deep meditation about how we choose to love each other.
A Debut Feature Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together is the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for over ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the actors bring a special spark to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The narrative begins when Tim and Millie move from the urban environment to the country for her career. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s largely where the cliches end. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the two fall into an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence starts to affect the couple. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a methodically building horror experience, interspersing bits of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes during something horrific). Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and delivers them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and removed from his support system. He is terrified of the notion of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie refrains from painting Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie face the type of challenges that come with long-term unions over a long period. At their core, they have affection for one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these anxieties of codependency and fully committing to another person, the metaphor does not come across as hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, some couples who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could function as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the finale inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply look at your partner and utter, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can undertake today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu now.
