Here's a test for partners in committed relationships who enjoy horror films: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like standard physical horror, but beneath Together resides a deep contemplation 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 showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a unique chemistry to their roles, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The plot begins when the couple move from the metropolis to the countryside for her career. A commonly used plot device, sure, but that’s mostly where the cliches end. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the two tumble into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a strange force takes hold of the pair. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying fright fest, interspersing bits of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and delivers them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and removed from his social circle. He dreads the idea of completely losing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he can’t drive and relies on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie never makes one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie confront the type of challenges that are inherent in any relationship after ten years. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these concerns of codependency and totally devoting oneself to another person, the allegory does not come across as clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama serve the other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. It has been said that single viewers have seen the movie as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, some couples having disagreements found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could function as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your partner and state, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is streaming on Hulu as of this moment.
