Here's a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate horror films: Settle in with your partner and view Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its streaming debut via Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like conventional biological terror, but inside Together lies a profound examination about our choices in loving one another.
A Debut Feature Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for over ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the two stars bring a particular energy to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The plot starts when the couple relocate from the big city to the countryside for Millie’s job. A commonly used plot device, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the conventions end. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their country house, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim tumble into an underground cave. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence takes hold of the duo. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The whole movie is a slow burn of scares, weaving in moments of dreamlike terrors, gross (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). The director orchestrates these parts expertly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is waning due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and far away from his social circle. He is terrified of the concept of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he refrains from painting one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
The couple grapple with the type of challenges that are inherent in long-term unions a decade in. At their core, they continue to care for each other. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these concerns of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor never feels clumsy or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Conversely, some couples experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply look at your partner and utter, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can experience right now.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
