We present a challenge for long-term couples who are fans of scary movies: Sit down with your significant other and watch Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its online premiere on the Hulu service. On the surface, it might appear like standard biological terror, but inside Together resides a intense contemplation about how we choose to love our partners.
A Debut Feature Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for a decade. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the actors bring a special spark to their characters, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The story begins when the couple transition from the big city to the country for her career. A commonly used plot device, of course, but that’s primarily where the cliches end. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their new home, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim tumble into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a strange force takes hold of the pair. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The whole movie is a slow burn fright fest, interspersing elements of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and presents them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and removed from his support system. He fears the notion of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he never makes either of his characters the definite antagonist.
The couple confront the kind of problems that are inherent in long-term unions a decade in. At their core, they still love one another. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism avoids being overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama work together symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that single viewers have seen the movie as a powerful case for staying single. Conversely, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could act as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your other half and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can experience right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu now.
