Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate horror films: Get comfortable with your partner and view Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its online premiere via Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like conventional biological terror, but within Together resides a deep meditation about how we choose to love our partners.
A Debut Feature Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together marks the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for over ten years. Married in reality in 2017, the two stars infuse a unique chemistry to their roles, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The story begins when Millie and Tim relocate from the urban environment to the countryside for her career. A familiar story element, of course, but that’s largely where the cliches cease. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the protagonists fall into an underground cave. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity starts to affect the duo. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying fright fest, interspersing elements of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes amidst something horrific). The director skillfully blends these components neatly and presents them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is suffering due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and removed from his social circle. He is terrified of the concept of completely losing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie avoids making either of his characters the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie face the type of challenges that come with any relationship after ten years. Fundamentally, they continue to care for each other. 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.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to another person, the symbolism never feels clumsy or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a strong argument for remaining unattached. On the other hand, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could act as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your other half and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can undertake right now.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
