Consider this a challenge for long-term couples who are fans of scary movies: Sit down with your partner and view Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. At first glance, it could look like standard biological terror, but within Together exists a intense examination about how we choose to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have been together for a decade. Having wed in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a particular energy to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The narrative starts when Tim and Millie relocate from the metropolis to the rural area for Millie’s job. A familiar narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the conventions conclude. 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 walking near their new home, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim tumble into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence begins influencing the couple. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past simple connection.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying horror experience, blending bits of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes during something grotesque). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and wraps them up in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and distant from his network of friends. He fears the idea of totally forfeiting his sense of self in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie avoids making either of his characters the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie face the kind of problems that are inherent in long-term unions a decade in. At their core, they still love each other. They still laugh together, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these concerns of excessive reliance and fully committing to another person, the metaphor avoids being hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal work together symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that single viewers have understood the narrative as a strong argument for remaining unattached. On the other hand, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply turn to your significant other and utter, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can embark on today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform at present.
