We present a dare for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of scary movies: Get comfortable with your loved one and watch Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its online premiere via Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like conventional biological terror, but within Together resides a deep contemplation about how we choose to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together represents the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for a decade. Married in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a particular energy to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The narrative starts when Tim and Millie relocate from the big city to the country for Millie’s job. A commonly used story element, of course, but that’s primarily where the cliches conclude. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim fall into an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity starts to affect the couple. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The complete narrative is a slow burn horror experience, interspersing bits of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and presents them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is suffering due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and far away from his network of friends. He fears the idea of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is intensified by the reality he can’t drive and relies on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he avoids making Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie confront the kind of problems that come with long-term unions over a long period. At their core, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the allegory never feels clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the ending inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your partner and say, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can experience right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
