We present a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of the horror genre: Sit down with your significant other and stream Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its online premiere on Hulu. Outwardly, it may seem like typical physical horror, but beneath Together resides a profound contemplation about the ways we decide to love our partners.
A Debut Feature Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for a decade. Having wed in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a special spark to their roles, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The story commences when the couple transition from the metropolis to the rural area for Millie’s job. A familiar story element, of course, but that’s largely where the conventions end. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their country house, a storm hits, and the two discover an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a strange force starts to affect the duo. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying fright fest, blending moments of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and wraps them up in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is only the two lead actors, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and far away from his social circle. He fears the notion of completely losing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is amplified by the reality he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he avoids making Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Both characters grapple with the kind of problems that are inherent in most partnerships a decade in. Fundamentally, they still love each other. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these anxieties of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to another person, the symbolism avoids being hamfisted 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 final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the finale plant anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply look at your other half and say, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can embark on right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
