Here's a challenge for long-term couples who enjoy the horror genre: Settle in with your loved one and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its streaming debut via Hulu. Outwardly, it may seem like conventional physical horror, but beneath Together resides a deep examination about the ways we decide to love one another.
An Introductory Film Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for ten years. Married in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a special spark to their characters, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative commences when the couple transition from the metropolis to the rural area for her career. 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 pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim discover an underground cave. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence takes hold of the couple. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The whole movie is a methodically building horror experience, blending bits of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) body horror, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes during something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and far away from his social circle. He is terrified of the idea of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is amplified by the fact he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he avoids making either of his characters the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie face the kind of problems that arise in any relationship a decade in. At their core, they continue to care for each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor never feels hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a powerful case for staying single. Meanwhile, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
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 finale plant anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply look at your other half and state, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu now.
