We present a dare for partners in committed relationships who enjoy scary movies: Settle in with your loved one and watch Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its online premiere via Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like standard body horror, but within Together exists a deep examination about the ways we decide to love our partners.
A Debut Feature Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker 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 over ten years. Having wed in actuality in 2017, the two stars infuse a particular energy to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The plot commences when Millie and Tim relocate from the big city to the countryside for her career. A commonly used story element, sure, but that’s largely where the tropes cease. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their country house, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim discover an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a strange force begins influencing the pair. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a methodically building fright fest, weaving in bits of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and delivers them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and distant from his social circle. He fears the idea of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is intensified by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together never makes Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
The couple confront the kind of problems that come with any relationship a decade in. Deep down, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these fears of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor avoids being overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a powerful case for staying single. Meanwhile, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your partner and utter, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can experience at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu at present.
