We present a challenge for long-term couples who are fans of scary movies: Get comfortable with your significant other and view Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. Outwardly, it may seem like standard biological terror, but beneath Together lies a intense examination about our choices in loving one another.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for a decade. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars contribute a special spark to their characters, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The plot commences when the couple relocate from the big city to the countryside for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the conventions conclude. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the two tumble into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a strange force begins influencing the couple. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The entire film is a slow burn horror experience, weaving in elements of fever-dream horrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes during something grotesque). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and presents them in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and distant from his social circle. He is terrified of the concept of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together never makes one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie face the type of challenges that are inherent in any relationship after ten years. At their core, they continue to care for each other. They find humor with each other, offer support, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these anxieties of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the metaphor does not come across as clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights work together in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for staying single. Meanwhile, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could function as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply look at your partner and say, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can experience right now.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu at present.
