Here's a challenge for long-term couples who are fans of horror films: Get comfortable with your loved one and view Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its online premiere via Hulu. On the surface, it could look like conventional body horror, but beneath Together exists a deep contemplation about our choices in loving our partners.
A Directorial Debut Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together represents the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have remained a couple for a decade. Having wed in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a special spark to their characters, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The narrative begins when Tim and Millie move from the metropolis to the country for professional reasons. A commonly used plot device, of course, but that’s primarily where the cliches cease. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their new home, a storm hits, and the two fall into an underground cave. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity starts to affect the duo. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The complete narrative is a methodically building fright fest, interspersing moments of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and removed from his network of friends. He is terrified of the concept of completely losing his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is amplified by the fact he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he refrains from painting one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie grapple with the type of challenges that come with most partnerships after ten years. Deep down, they still love one another. They share moments of joy, offer support, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these fears of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor does not come across as hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that single viewers have seen the movie as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. On the other hand, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could function as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion sow anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your significant other and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can undertake right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
