We present a dare for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy horror films: Get comfortable with your loved one and view Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. On the surface, it could look like standard biological terror, but beneath Together resides a intense examination about the ways we decide to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together is the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for a decade. Married in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a particular energy to their roles, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The narrative begins when the couple transition from the metropolis to the country for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, sure, but that’s primarily where the conventions cease. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their country house, a tempest descends, and the protagonists discover an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a strange force takes hold of the pair. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The entire film is a methodically building of scares, weaving in moments of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes during something horrific). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and delivers them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and removed from his network of friends. He fears the idea of totally forfeiting his sense of self in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie never makes either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie grapple with the kind of problems that arise in most partnerships after ten years. Fundamentally, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal work together symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a powerful case for staying single. Meanwhile, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film actually helped them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the finale inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your significant other and say, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can embark on right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu as of this moment.
