Here's a challenge for partners in committed relationships who appreciate scary movies: Settle in with your significant other and watch Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its online premiere on Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like typical biological terror, but within Together resides a deep examination about our choices in loving one another.
A Directorial Debut Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together represents the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the actors infuse a special spark to their characters, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The narrative starts when Tim and Millie move from the big city to the rural area for her career. A familiar story element, sure, but that’s primarily where the cliches end. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists fall into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity begins influencing the pair. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past simple connection.
The entire film is a slow burn fright fest, blending bits of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but never too gross) body horror, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). The director orchestrates these parts seamlessly and presents them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and distant from his support system. He dreads the notion of totally forfeiting his sense of self in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together never makes either of his characters the obvious villain.
Both characters confront the type of challenges that are inherent in any relationship over a long period. Fundamentally, they still love each other. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the metaphor avoids being overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal work together symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could act as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the finale inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your partner and utter, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can undertake right now.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu at present.
