Here's a test for long-term couples who appreciate horror films: Sit down with your significant other and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its streaming debut on Hulu. At first glance, it could look like conventional physical horror, but beneath Together lies a deep contemplation about our choices in loving our partners.
A Directorial Debut Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a unique chemistry to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The narrative starts when Millie and Tim relocate from the big city to the country for her career. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, of course, but that’s mostly where the conventions cease. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their new home, a storm hits, and the two tumble into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity starts to affect the couple. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The entire film is a methodically building fright fest, interspersing bits of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and presents them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is waning due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and distant from his network of friends. He dreads the concept of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is amplified by the fact he can’t drive and relies on Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision in Together refrains from painting either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters confront the type of challenges that arise in long-term unions over a long period. Fundamentally, they still love each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the allegory never feels overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could function as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the finale sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply turn to your significant other and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can embark on right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform now.
