Consider this a challenge for partners in committed relationships who enjoy scary movies: Settle in with your significant other and watch Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its streaming debut via Hulu. At first glance, it could look like standard physical horror, but beneath Together lies a deep examination about how we choose to love our partners.
A Debut Feature Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have been together for a decade. Married in real life in 2017, the actors bring a particular energy to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative begins when Tim and Millie move from the urban environment to the country for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the conventions end. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the protagonists fall into an underground cave. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence takes hold of the pair. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past simple connection.
The whole movie is a slow burn of scares, blending bits of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but never too gross) body horror, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes during something disturbing). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and far away from his network of friends. He is terrified of the notion of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he avoids making one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
The couple face the type of challenges that are inherent in any relationship a decade in. At their core, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the metaphor does not come across as clumsy or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama work together in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a strong argument for remaining unattached. On the other hand, some couples having disagreements found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could function as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the ending plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply look at your partner and state, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
