Here's a challenge for partners in committed relationships who appreciate horror films: Get comfortable with your significant other and watch Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. At first glance, it could look like conventional physical horror, but within Together lies a intense contemplation about our choices in loving one another.
An Introductory Film Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for a decade. Married in actuality in 2017, the two stars infuse a unique chemistry to their characters, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The plot starts when Tim and Millie move from the big city to the country for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, sure, but that’s primarily where the tropes cease. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the protagonists fall into an underground cave. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity begins influencing the couple. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The whole movie is a methodically building horror experience, interspersing bits of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and presents them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and far away from his network of friends. He fears the concept of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together avoids making Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie grapple with the sort of issues that are inherent in most partnerships over a long period. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They find humor with each other, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these fears of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the symbolism never feels hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. On the other hand, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could act as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the ending plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply look at your significant other and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform now.
