Here's a dare for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate horror films: Settle in with your partner and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its online premiere via Hulu. At first glance, it might appear like conventional biological terror, but beneath Together resides a profound meditation about the ways we decide to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together is the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for over ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the actors contribute a particular energy to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative commences when the couple relocate from the big city to the countryside for Millie’s job. A commonly used narrative setup, sure, but that’s primarily where the cliches conclude. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their new home, a storm hits, and the protagonists tumble into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity takes hold of the pair. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The complete narrative is a slow burn of scares, blending moments of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but never too gross) body horror, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and delivers them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his floundering music career inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and removed from his support system. He dreads the concept of completely losing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is intensified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together refrains from painting either of his characters the obvious villain.
Both characters face the type of challenges that arise in any relationship after ten years. Deep down, they continue to care for each other. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these fears of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to another person, the allegory never feels overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama work together symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that single viewers have seen the movie as a powerful case for remaining unattached. On the other hand, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could function as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending inspire anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply look at your significant other and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can undertake today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu as of this moment.
