We present a dare for long-term couples who appreciate the horror genre: Settle in with your significant other and view Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its streaming debut via Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like typical physical horror, but beneath Together exists a intense meditation about our choices in loving one another.
An Introductory Film Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together represents the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for over ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a unique chemistry to their characters, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The narrative begins when the couple transition from the urban environment to the country for Millie’s job. A familiar plot device, of course, but that’s primarily where the cliches cease. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the protagonists tumble into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence starts to affect the couple. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The whole movie is a slow burn fright fest, interspersing bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and delivers them in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is only the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and removed from his network of friends. He dreads the concept of completely losing his sense of self in another person. This fear is intensified by the reality he can’t drive and needs Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together avoids making one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie face the kind of problems that arise in long-term unions after ten years. Deep down, they continue to care for each other. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these concerns of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism never feels hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama work together symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Conversely, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your significant other and say, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu now.
