We present a challenge for long-term couples who appreciate the horror genre: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its online premiere via Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like conventional biological terror, but beneath Together lies a deep meditation about our choices in loving each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for over ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a particular energy to their characters, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The story begins when the couple transition from the big city to the rural area for professional reasons. A commonly used story element, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the conventions conclude. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the two fall into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity takes hold of the duo. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying of scares, blending bits of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and presents them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is suffering due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and removed from his network of friends. He fears the idea of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he avoids making either of his characters the definite antagonist.
The couple confront the sort of issues that come with long-term unions over a long period. Deep down, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these anxieties of codependency and fully committing to another person, the symbolism avoids being hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that single viewers have interpreted the film as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Conversely, some couples having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
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 scream at your TV, or simply turn to your partner and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can undertake today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu now.
