We present a test for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of horror films: Settle in with your partner and view Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its online premiere via Hulu. On the surface, it could look like conventional body horror, but inside Together exists a deep contemplation about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together represents the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, the two stars bring a unique chemistry to their roles, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The story starts when Millie and Tim move from the urban environment to the rural area for professional reasons. A familiar story element, sure, but that’s mostly where the cliches cease. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the two discover an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity starts to affect the pair. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a slow burn horror experience, interspersing bits of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes during something grotesque). The director weaves these elements together seamlessly and presents them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and far away from his network of friends. He is terrified of the concept of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie refrains from painting either of his characters the obvious villain.
The couple face the kind of problems that arise in most partnerships after ten years. At their core, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, offer support, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of codependency and fully committing to another person, the allegory avoids being overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that single viewers have seen the movie as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Conversely, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could act as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the finale plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your significant other and state, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can undertake right now.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu now.
