We present a test for long-term couples who enjoy horror films: Get comfortable with your partner and view Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. At first glance, it may seem like conventional biological terror, but beneath Together lies a profound contemplation about how we choose to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together is the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for over ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the actors bring a special spark to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The narrative begins when Millie and Tim move from the metropolis to the countryside for her career. A familiar story element, admittedly, but that’s largely where the conventions end. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the two discover an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence takes hold of the pair. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying of scares, weaving in elements of dreamlike terrors, gross (but never too gross) body horror, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and far away from his social circle. He is terrified of the notion of completely losing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he can’t drive and relies on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he never makes either of his characters the obvious villain.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that come with most partnerships a decade in. At their core, they continue to care for one another. They share moments of joy, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory never feels clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that single viewers have understood the narrative as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, certain partners having disagreements found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could act as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the ending plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your other half and state, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can embark on right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu now.
