Consider this a dare for partners in committed relationships who appreciate scary movies: Get comfortable with your loved one and view Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its streaming debut on Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like conventional physical horror, but inside Together resides a intense contemplation about how we choose to love each other.
An Introductory Film Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the actors bring a special spark to their roles, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative starts when the couple move from the urban environment to the country for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, sure, but that’s primarily where the tropes end. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the two discover an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a strange force takes hold of the couple. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying horror experience, interspersing bits of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Shanks weaves these elements together expertly 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 masterfully render numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and far away from his support system. He is terrified of the concept of completely losing 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 film's most intelligent aspect is that he refrains from painting one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie face the kind of problems that come with most partnerships a decade in. Deep down, they continue to care for each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to another person, the metaphor does not come across as overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Conversely, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could act as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending inspire anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your partner and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
