Here's a test for long-term couples who appreciate scary movies: Get comfortable with your loved one and watch Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its streaming debut via Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like standard physical horror, but beneath Together exists a profound contemplation about our choices in loving our partners.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for over ten years. Married in reality in 2017, the actors contribute a unique chemistry to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The narrative begins when Millie and Tim move from the big city to the rural area for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s primarily where the cliches conclude. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the two discover an underground cave. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence takes hold of the couple. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a methodically building of scares, weaving in bits of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes during something horrific). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and wraps them up in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and removed from his network of friends. He is terrified of the concept of totally forfeiting his individual identity in his partner. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together never makes either of his characters the definite antagonist.
The couple face the type of challenges that come with most partnerships over a long period. Deep down, they still love one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these anxieties of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the symbolism avoids being overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Conversely, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the finale plant 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 turn to your other half and say, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can undertake right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
