Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate horror films: Settle in with your significant other and stream Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its streaming debut via Hulu. On the surface, it could look like standard biological terror, but within Together exists a profound examination about our choices in loving one another.
An Introductory Film Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for over ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the two stars contribute a unique chemistry to their characters, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The plot begins when the couple move from the urban environment to the countryside for her career. A commonly used narrative setup, of course, but that’s mostly where the cliches cease. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim discover an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence takes hold of the duo. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The whole movie is a slow burn horror experience, weaving in elements of fever-dream horrors, gross (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and delivers them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and removed from his network of friends. He dreads the concept of totally forfeiting his sense of self in Millie. This fear is amplified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in Together refrains from painting one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Both characters face the type of challenges that come with any relationship after ten years. Deep down, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these concerns of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the symbolism avoids being hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion inspire anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply turn to your other half and state, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can embark on today.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform at present.
