We present a test for partners in committed relationships who enjoy scary movies: Sit down with your partner and view Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its online premiere on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it might appear like standard body horror, but within Together exists a profound examination about how we choose to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the introductory feature 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 over ten years. Married in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a unique chemistry to their characters, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative begins when the couple transition from the metropolis to the rural area for professional reasons. A commonly used story element, sure, but that’s mostly where the conventions cease. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim discover an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence starts to affect the duo. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying of scares, interspersing bits of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes during something disturbing). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is only the two lead actors, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and distant from his support system. He fears the concept of completely losing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he never makes either of his characters the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie grapple with the kind of problems that arise in most partnerships a decade in. Fundamentally, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of codependency and totally devoting oneself to another person, the symbolism does not come across as clumsy or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama work together symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could act as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion plant anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your significant other and state, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can undertake today.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform now.
