Here's a challenge for long-term couples who are fans of scary movies: Sit down with your loved one and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. Outwardly, it may seem like standard physical horror, but within Together exists a deep meditation about how we choose to love each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for ten years. Having wed in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a special spark to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The story starts when Tim and Millie move from the urban environment to the rural area for professional reasons. A commonly used narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the tropes cease. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their new home, a storm hits, and the two tumble into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity starts to affect the couple. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a slow burn of scares, blending moments of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but never too gross) body horror, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and delivers them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and removed from his social circle. He is terrified of the notion of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is intensified by the reality he can’t drive and relies on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie never makes Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie face the kind of problems that arise in long-term unions over a long period. At their core, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these concerns of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama work together symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could act as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion plant anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply look at your partner and say, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform at present.
