Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy scary movies: Get comfortable with your significant other and stream Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its online premiere via Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like standard biological terror, but within Together exists a profound meditation about how we choose to love one another.
A Debut Feature Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for a decade. Having wed in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a particular energy to their roles, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The story commences when Tim and Millie relocate from the metropolis to the country for her career. A commonly used plot device, of course, but that’s primarily where the conventions cease. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their country house, a storm hits, and the two discover an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity starts to affect the duo. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The entire film is a slow burn fright fest, interspersing elements of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but never too gross) body horror, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and presents them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is only the two lead actors, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is waning due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and removed from his support system. He dreads the concept of completely losing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together never makes Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie grapple with the sort of issues that are inherent in most partnerships over a long period. At their core, they continue to care for one another. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these fears of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory never feels clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that single viewers have interpreted the film as a strong argument for staying single. Meanwhile, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could function as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the finale inspire anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply turn to your partner and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu at present.
