We present a dare for long-term couples who are fans of the horror genre: Settle in with your loved one and view Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. On the surface, it may seem like standard body horror, but within Together resides a deep examination about our choices in loving one another.
A Debut Feature Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for a decade. Married in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a special spark to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The narrative begins when the couple transition from the urban environment to the countryside for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical story element, of course, but that’s largely where the conventions end. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim discover an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity begins influencing the couple. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying fright fest, weaving in moments of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they deftly portray countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his floundering music career inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and distant from his social circle. He dreads the idea of completely losing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie never makes either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters confront the sort of issues that arise in any relationship a decade in. Fundamentally, they still love each other. They find humor with each other, offer support, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to another person, the allegory never feels overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
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 strong argument for remaining unattached. On the other hand, some couples experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could function as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the ending plant anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply turn to your partner and state, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
