We present a dare for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy scary movies: Get comfortable with your significant other and stream Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its online premiere via Hulu. Outwardly, it may seem like conventional physical horror, but beneath Together resides a profound examination about how we choose to love one another.
An Introductory Film Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for a decade. Married in real life in 2017, the two stars bring a special spark to their characters, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The narrative commences when Tim and Millie transition from the metropolis to the rural area for Millie’s job. A commonly used narrative setup, of course, but that’s largely where the tropes conclude. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the protagonists discover an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a strange force begins influencing the couple. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying horror experience, blending moments of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) body horror, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes amidst something horrific). The director weaves these elements together expertly and delivers them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is waning due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and distant from his social circle. He fears the idea of completely losing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together refrains from painting Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Both characters face the sort of issues that arise in any relationship a decade in. At their core, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory does not come across as overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Conversely, certain partners having disagreements found that the film actually helped them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the ending plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your partner and state, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can undertake right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform now.
