Here's a dare for partners in committed relationships who appreciate scary movies: Sit down with your loved one and watch Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its online premiere via Hulu. On the surface, it could look like typical physical horror, but beneath Together resides a profound contemplation about the ways we decide to love our partners.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together is the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have been together for ten years. Married in real life in 2017, the actors infuse a unique chemistry to their roles, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The narrative begins when the couple transition from the urban environment to the countryside for Millie’s job. A commonly used plot device, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the conventions end. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their country house, a tempest descends, and the protagonists fall into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a strange force begins influencing the pair. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a methodically building of scares, weaving in elements of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and wraps them up in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and distant from his social circle. He dreads the idea of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is amplified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together avoids making one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
The couple confront the type of challenges that come with any relationship after ten years. At their core, they have affection for each other. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these anxieties of excessive reliance and fully committing to another person, the metaphor does not come across as hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a powerful case for staying single. On the other hand, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the finale inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply turn to your significant other and state, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can experience right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
