Here's a test for long-term couples who enjoy scary movies: Sit down with your significant other and view Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its streaming debut on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it may seem like conventional body horror, but beneath Together lies a profound examination about the ways we decide to love each other.
An Introductory Film Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, the two stars contribute a unique chemistry to their characters, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The narrative starts when Tim and Millie relocate from the urban environment to the rural area for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical story element, sure, but that’s largely where the tropes conclude. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists tumble into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence takes hold of the pair. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a methodically building horror experience, blending bits of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but never too gross) body horror, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes amidst something grotesque). The director skillfully blends these components seamlessly and wraps them up in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his floundering music career inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and distant from his social circle. He fears the idea of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie never makes one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie face the kind of problems that are inherent in most partnerships over a long period. At their core, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the allegory avoids being overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that single viewers have understood the narrative as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could act as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion plant anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your other half and say, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can undertake right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
