Here's a test for long-term couples who appreciate the horror genre: Get comfortable with your significant other and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. On the surface, it might appear like conventional physical horror, but beneath Together lies a intense examination about how we choose to love one another.
A Debut Feature Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together is the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features 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 over ten years. Married in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a special spark to their roles, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The narrative starts when Millie and Tim move from the big city to the country for her career. A familiar story element, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the conventions conclude. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their country house, a tempest descends, and the protagonists fall into an underground cave. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a strange force takes hold of the pair. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The entire film is a slow burn fright fest, weaving in bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but never too gross) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes during something horrific). Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and wraps them up in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his floundering music career inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and cut off 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 another person. This fear is intensified by the fact he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he refrains from painting either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie face the kind of problems that come with long-term unions over a long period. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor avoids being hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, some couples having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could act as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion plant anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your significant other and utter, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can undertake today.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
