Here's a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy horror films: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its online premiere on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it might appear like typical biological terror, but within Together exists a intense meditation about how we choose to love our partners.
A Debut Feature Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together is the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for ten years. Married in real life in 2017, the two stars infuse a special spark to their roles, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The narrative starts when the couple move from the metropolis to the rural area for her career. A commonly used narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s largely where the conventions conclude. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists fall into an underground cave. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence starts to affect the pair. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past simple connection.
The complete narrative is a slow burn of scares, weaving in moments of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and delivers them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they deftly portray countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and far away from his support system. He fears the notion of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is intensified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision in Together never makes either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie confront the kind of problems that are inherent in long-term unions over a long period. At their core, they continue to care for each other. They share moments of joy, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of codependency and totally devoting oneself to another person, the symbolism avoids being hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Conversely, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your partner and say, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can undertake today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu now.
