Consider this a test for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate horror films: Sit down with your partner and view Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it might appear like standard biological terror, but within Together exists a profound examination about how we choose to love our partners.
A Directorial Debut Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together marks the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for a decade. Having wed in reality in 2017, the two stars infuse a particular energy to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The plot starts when the couple transition from the metropolis to the countryside for her career. A familiar narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the tropes conclude. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim fall into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity takes hold of the duo. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying fright fest, weaving in moments of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes amidst something grotesque). The director weaves these elements together seamlessly and delivers them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and distant from his social circle. He is terrified of the notion of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he can’t drive and relies on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he refrains from painting either of his characters the obvious villain.
The couple confront the kind of problems that come with most partnerships a decade in. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the metaphor never feels overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the finale plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply turn to your significant other and say, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can embark on today.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu now.
