Here's a test for partners in committed relationships who appreciate horror films: Sit down with your significant other and stream Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. On the surface, it could look like typical physical horror, but beneath Together lies a deep meditation about our choices in loving one another.
An Introductory Film Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for a decade. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the two stars infuse a special spark to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The story begins when Millie and Tim transition from the urban environment to the rural area for her career. A commonly used narrative setup, of course, but that’s largely where the tropes end. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim fall into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity starts to affect the pair. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past simple connection.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying of scares, weaving in moments of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but never too gross) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes amidst something disturbing). The director skillfully blends these components neatly and presents them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they masterfully render countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and removed from his network of friends. He dreads the notion of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision in Together avoids making Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie confront the type of challenges that arise in long-term unions a decade in. At their core, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, offer support, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these fears of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor avoids being hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a strong argument for staying single. On the other hand, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could function as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply look at your significant other and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform now.
