We present a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of the horror genre: Settle in with your significant other and stream Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its streaming debut on Hulu. At first glance, it might appear like conventional biological terror, but inside Together resides a profound meditation about our choices in loving each other.
A Directorial Debut Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together is the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for a decade. Having wed in real life in 2017, the actors infuse a special spark to their characters, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The story commences when Millie and Tim transition from the urban environment to the country for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical story element, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the cliches cease. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the protagonists discover an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a strange force starts to affect the duo. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying of scares, interspersing bits of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes during something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they masterfully render countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and distant from his support system. He fears the concept of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together never makes either of his characters the obvious villain.
The couple face the type of challenges that arise in long-term unions after ten years. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these concerns of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory avoids being overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Conversely, some couples who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could act as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the ending plant anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your significant other and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can undertake right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
