We present a dare for long-term couples who are fans of the horror genre: Sit down with your loved one and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its online premiere via Hulu. At first glance, it could look like standard physical horror, but within Together exists a deep meditation about how we choose to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together represents the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for a decade. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars bring a particular energy to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative starts when the couple transition from the urban environment to the countryside for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical story element, sure, but that’s primarily where the tropes end. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the protagonists fall into an underground cave. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity starts to affect the couple. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying of scares, weaving in elements of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) body horror, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). The director weaves these elements together neatly and delivers them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his floundering music career inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and removed from his social circle. He fears the concept of completely losing his sense of self in another person. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie avoids making Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Both characters face the kind of problems that are inherent in long-term unions over a long period. At their core, they continue to care for each other. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these concerns of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory does not come across as clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted 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 positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your other half and say, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu at present.
