Consider this a test for long-term couples who are fans of the horror genre: Settle in with your significant other and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its online premiere on the Hulu service. At first glance, it might appear like typical body horror, but within Together resides a profound meditation about how we choose to love one another.
An Introductory Film Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for ten years. Married in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a particular energy to their characters, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The plot commences when the couple relocate from the big city to the rural area for Millie’s job. A familiar narrative setup, of course, but that’s primarily where the cliches conclude. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the two discover an underground cave. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a strange force starts to affect the pair. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The complete narrative is a slow burn horror experience, interspersing bits of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but never too gross) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and presents them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his floundering music career inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and removed from his social circle. He fears the idea of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is intensified by the fact he can’t drive and needs Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together avoids making one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie face the kind of problems that are inherent in long-term unions after ten years. Deep down, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, offer support, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these fears of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the metaphor does not come across as overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Conversely, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply look at your other half and state, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform at present.
