We present a dare for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of scary movies: Settle in with your significant other and view Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. At first glance, it could look like conventional biological terror, but beneath Together resides a intense meditation about the ways we decide to love each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have been together for over ten years. Married in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a unique chemistry to their roles, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative starts when the couple transition from the big city to the country for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical story element, sure, but that’s primarily where the tropes end. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim fall into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a strange force takes hold of the pair. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The entire film is a methodically building fright fest, weaving in elements of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and presents them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they deftly portray countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and removed from his network of friends. He fears the idea of completely losing his individual identity in another person. This fear is amplified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he never makes either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Both characters grapple with the sort of issues that are inherent in long-term unions a decade in. Fundamentally, they continue to care for one another. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to another person, the allegory never feels hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could function as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the finale plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your partner and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform at present.
