We present a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate the horror genre: Settle in with your partner and stream Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like typical physical horror, but inside Together resides a profound meditation about how we choose to love each other.
An Introductory Film Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together represents the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, the actors bring a special spark to their characters, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The narrative begins when the couple relocate from the metropolis to the rural area for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, of course, but that’s largely where the tropes conclude. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their new home, a storm hits, and the two discover an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence starts to affect the couple. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a slow burn horror experience, interspersing moments of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but never too gross) physical transformations, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and presents them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is only the two lead actors, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and removed from his network of friends. He dreads the notion of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in another person. This fear is amplified by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he never makes either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters confront the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship a decade in. At their core, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these concerns of codependency and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the symbolism never feels overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for staying single. Conversely, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film actually helped 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 anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply look at your partner and say, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform now.
