We present a dare for partners in committed relationships who appreciate scary movies: Get comfortable with your partner and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its online premiere on Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like typical physical horror, but beneath Together resides a intense contemplation about the ways we decide to love our partners.
A Debut Feature Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together is the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for a decade. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a special spark to their roles, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The narrative begins when the couple relocate from the big city to the countryside for her career. A commonly used story element, sure, but that’s mostly where the conventions end. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their new home, a storm hits, and the two discover an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity begins influencing the duo. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying fright fest, weaving in elements of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but never too gross) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes during something grotesque). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and delivers them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and distant from his network of friends. He is terrified of the idea of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is intensified by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he refrains from painting either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters confront the kind of problems that come with any relationship over a long period. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They find humor with each other, offer support, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of codependency and totally devoting oneself to another person, the allegory avoids being hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. On the other hand, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could act as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply turn to your significant other and state, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can experience today.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu now.
