Here's a test for partners in committed relationships who enjoy the horror genre: Get comfortable with your partner and watch Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its streaming debut on Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like typical physical horror, but beneath Together exists a deep contemplation about how we choose to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together is the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the actors infuse a unique chemistry to their characters, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The narrative begins when the couple transition from the metropolis to the country for her career. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the cliches conclude. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the two fall into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence starts to affect the pair. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a slow burn of scares, weaving in elements of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is suffering due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and removed from his social circle. He dreads the concept of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in another person. This fear is intensified by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie never makes either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie grapple with the kind of problems that are inherent in long-term unions after ten years. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, offer support, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these anxieties of codependency and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the metaphor avoids being overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. It has been said that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply look at your partner and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can embark on today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
