Consider this a challenge for partners in committed relationships who are fans of scary movies: Sit down with your loved one and stream Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. At first glance, it might appear like typical biological terror, but beneath Together lies a deep examination about our choices in loving each other.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together represents the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have been together for a decade. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the actors bring a special spark to their roles, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The story starts when Tim and Millie transition from the urban environment to the country for professional reasons. A commonly used story element, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the cliches 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 new home, a storm hits, and the protagonists discover an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity starts to affect the duo. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The whole movie is a methodically building of scares, interspersing moments of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) body horror, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes during something horrific). The director weaves these elements together expertly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and distant from his social circle. He fears the notion of totally forfeiting his sense of self in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie avoids making one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie confront the sort of issues that come with any relationship over a long period. At their core, they continue to care for one another. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these fears of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor avoids being hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. It has been said that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for staying single. Conversely, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the finale plant anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply look at your partner and say, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can embark on right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform now.
