Here's a dare for long-term couples who appreciate scary movies: Sit down with your loved one and view Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like conventional biological terror, but inside Together exists a profound meditation about the ways we decide to love our partners.
A Debut Feature Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars contribute a particular energy to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The plot starts when the couple transition from the urban environment to the country for her career. A familiar plot device, sure, but that’s largely where the cliches cease. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their new home, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim discover an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a strange force begins influencing the duo. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The whole movie is a slow burn horror experience, blending elements of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) body horror, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes during something grotesque). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and presents them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they deftly portray countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and far away from his network of friends. He fears the concept of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is intensified by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together never makes Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie face the sort of issues that are inherent in long-term unions a decade in. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor avoids being hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights work together in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Conversely, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply look at your other half and state, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is streaming on Hulu now.
