Here's a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy horror films: Get comfortable with your significant other and stream Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it could look like typical biological terror, but within Together lies a deep contemplation about our choices in loving our partners.
A Debut Feature Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, partners that have stayed together for over ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, the actors bring a unique chemistry to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The narrative commences when the couple transition from the metropolis to the countryside for her career. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, sure, but that’s mostly where the tropes cease. Together transforms into 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 new home, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim fall into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a strange force begins influencing the pair. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying horror experience, weaving in moments of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but never too gross) body horror, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes during something disturbing). The director weaves these elements together seamlessly and presents them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and removed from his social circle. He dreads the notion of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is amplified by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie refrains from painting Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Both characters grapple with the kind of problems that come with long-term unions over a long period. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these concerns of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor avoids being hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that single viewers have interpreted the film as a strong argument for staying single. Conversely, some couples experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could act as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion plant anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your significant other and state, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can embark on today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu as of this moment.
