We present a test for long-term couples who enjoy the horror genre: Sit down with your significant other and watch Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its streaming debut on Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like typical body horror, but within Together exists a deep contemplation about how we choose to love one another.
A Debut Feature Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for over ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a unique chemistry to their roles, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The story starts when the couple move from the big city to the countryside for professional reasons. A commonly used narrative setup, of course, but that’s largely where the tropes conclude. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim fall into an underground cave. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence takes hold of the couple. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The whole movie is a methodically building fright fest, blending moments of dreamlike terrors, gross (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and far away from his network of friends. He is terrified of the idea of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in Together never makes Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie grapple with the type of challenges that arise in any relationship over a long period. At their core, they continue to care for one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these concerns of codependency and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the symbolism avoids being overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama work together symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Conversely, some couples having disagreements found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could function as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the finale plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply look at your significant other and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can undertake right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu as of this moment.
