We present a test for partners in committed relationships who are fans of scary movies: Settle in with your partner and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its streaming debut via Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like typical biological terror, but within Together lies a profound examination about how we choose to love our partners.
A Directorial Debut Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together represents the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have been together for over ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, the two stars infuse a particular energy to their characters, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative commences when the couple relocate from the metropolis to the country for Millie’s job. A familiar plot device, of course, but that’s primarily where the tropes end. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists tumble into an underground cave. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a strange force begins influencing the couple. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The complete narrative is a methodically building horror experience, weaving in moments of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and removed from his support system. He dreads the idea of completely losing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is intensified by the fact he can’t drive and needs Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie avoids making either of his characters the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie face the type of challenges that come with long-term unions a decade in. Fundamentally, they still love one another. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these anxieties of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism never feels clumsy or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that single viewers have understood the narrative as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Conversely, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could act as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the ending inspire anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply turn to your significant other and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu at present.
