We present a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy scary movies: Settle in with your significant other and stream Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its online premiere on the Hulu service. On the surface, it may seem like standard physical horror, but within Together resides a deep contemplation about the ways we decide to love each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together marks the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have been together for over ten years. Married in real life in 2017, the two stars bring a unique chemistry to their roles, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The story begins when Millie and Tim relocate from the metropolis to the rural area for Millie’s job. A commonly used plot device, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the tropes conclude. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the two fall into an underground cave. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence begins influencing the couple. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying of scares, weaving in elements of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). The director orchestrates these parts expertly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is waning due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and far away from his support system. He dreads the concept of completely losing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he refrains from painting Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie confront the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship over a long period. Deep down, they still love one another. They find humor with each other, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor never feels clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Conversely, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could act as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the finale plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your significant other and state, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can undertake today.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu at present.
