We present a test for long-term couples who appreciate scary movies: Sit down with your significant other and view Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its online premiere on Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like typical biological terror, but within Together exists a deep meditation about how we choose to love each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together is the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for over ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the two stars bring a particular energy to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The story begins when the couple transition from the metropolis to the rural area for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the tropes conclude. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim discover an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence takes hold of the duo. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying fright fest, weaving in bits of dreamlike terrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and delivers them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and far away from his social circle. He is terrified of the concept of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is amplified by the fact he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he never makes one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that come with any relationship after ten years. At their core, they continue to care for one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these concerns of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the metaphor avoids being clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a strong argument for remaining unattached. On the other hand, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the ending plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply turn to your other half and say, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can undertake right now.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
