Consider this a dare for long-term couples who are fans of scary movies: Get comfortable with your loved one and view Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its online premiere via Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like standard body horror, but inside Together lies a profound contemplation about our choices in loving each other.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for over ten years. Married in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a unique chemistry to their characters, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The story begins when Tim and Millie relocate from the big city to the rural area for professional reasons. A commonly used story element, sure, but that’s largely where the cliches conclude. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the two tumble into an underground cave. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a strange force begins influencing the duo. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The entire film is a methodically building horror experience, interspersing elements of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes during something disturbing). The director weaves these elements together expertly and wraps them up in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his floundering music career gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and far away from his network of friends. He fears the idea of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is intensified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he refrains from painting Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie grapple with the type of challenges that arise in long-term unions a decade in. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They share moments of joy, offer support, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of codependency and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the allegory avoids being hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could function as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the finale inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your significant other and say, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can embark on right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu as of this moment.
