We present a dare for partners in committed relationships who are fans of scary movies: Sit down with your loved one and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its streaming debut on Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like typical biological terror, but within Together lies a profound examination about our choices in loving our partners.
A Debut Feature Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for over ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a unique chemistry to their roles, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The story commences when Millie and Tim transition from the metropolis to the countryside for professional reasons. A commonly used plot device, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the cliches conclude. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their country house, a tempest descends, and the protagonists tumble into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity takes hold of the couple. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The entire film is a slow burn horror experience, interspersing bits of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but never too gross) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and delivers them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and removed from his network of friends. He is terrified of the concept of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie avoids making either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters face the type of challenges that arise in any relationship after ten years. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these fears of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism never feels clumsy or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights work together in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. Conversely, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the ending sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your other half and say, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can experience right now.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu at present.
