Here's a dare for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate horror films: Get comfortable with your significant other and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its streaming debut via Hulu. At first glance, it might appear like typical physical horror, but beneath Together exists a intense contemplation about how we choose to love each other.
A Debut Feature Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have stayed together for over ten years. Married in real life in 2017, the actors bring a particular energy to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The story starts when Tim and Millie relocate from the metropolis to the countryside for professional reasons. A commonly used narrative setup, of course, but that’s primarily where the cliches end. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their country house, a tempest descends, and the protagonists fall into an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity starts to affect the duo. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The complete narrative is a methodically building horror experience, blending moments of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but never too gross) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and presents them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his floundering music career gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and removed from his support system. He fears the concept of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he never makes one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Both characters confront the type of challenges that arise in any relationship over a long period. Fundamentally, they still love one another. They find humor with each other, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to another person, the allegory avoids being clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have seen the movie as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Conversely, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale plant anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply look at your partner and state, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu now.
