Consider this a dare for partners in committed relationships who are fans of scary movies: Settle in with your loved one and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its online premiere on the Hulu service. On the surface, it may seem like typical body horror, but within Together resides a deep meditation about our choices in loving our partners.
An Introductory Film Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have remained a couple for over ten years. Having wed in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a particular energy to their characters, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The plot begins when Millie and Tim transition from the metropolis to the rural area for Millie’s job. A commonly used story element, admittedly, but that’s primarily 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 new home, a storm hits, and the protagonists discover an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence starts to affect the couple. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a methodically building horror experience, blending bits of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes during something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and delivers them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and distant from his social circle. He fears the idea of completely losing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is amplified by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together avoids making Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
The couple grapple with the type of challenges that come with long-term unions over a long period. At their core, they still love one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these anxieties of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism never feels hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights serve the other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a powerful case for staying single. On the other hand, some couples experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could act as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the ending inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply turn to your other half and utter, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can experience today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu now.
