Here's a dare for partners in committed relationships who are fans of horror films: Get comfortable with your significant other and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its streaming debut on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it might appear like standard biological terror, but within Together exists a profound examination about how we choose to love each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for ten years. Having wed in actuality in 2017, the actors infuse a unique chemistry to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The narrative starts when Tim and Millie transition from the metropolis to the rural area for her career. A familiar plot device, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the cliches cease. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim fall into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity takes hold of the couple. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The entire film is a slow burn of scares, weaving in elements of fever-dream horrors, gross (but never too gross) body horror, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). The director weaves these elements together neatly and delivers them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his floundering music career inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and removed from his network of friends. He dreads the notion of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie never makes either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie confront the kind of problems that arise in any relationship over a long period. Deep down, they still love one another. They share moments of joy, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the allegory never feels hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a compelling reason for staying single. Conversely, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending sow anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your partner and say, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can experience today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu at present.
