Consider this a dare for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate horror films: Settle in with your significant other and view Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. At first glance, it could look like conventional physical horror, but beneath Together lies a profound examination about how we choose to love each other.
An Introductory Film Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for over ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, the two stars infuse a unique chemistry to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative commences when Millie and Tim move from the big city to the countryside for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the tropes cease. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim fall into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a strange force takes hold of the duo. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The complete narrative is a slow burn of scares, weaving in bits of dreamlike terrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and presents them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and removed from his social circle. He fears the concept of completely losing his individual identity in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he can’t drive and relies on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie avoids making Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie confront the kind of problems that come with any relationship a decade in. Deep down, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these anxieties of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the allegory does not come across as clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a strong argument for staying single. Conversely, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your partner and say, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can undertake today.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu at present.
