We present a dare for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of scary movies: Sit down with your significant other and watch Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its streaming debut via Hulu. At first glance, it could look like typical physical horror, but inside Together resides a intense contemplation about our choices in loving each other.
An Introductory Film Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for a decade. Having wed in reality in 2017, the two stars contribute a unique chemistry to their roles, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The story starts when the couple transition from the urban environment to the rural area for her career. A commonly used narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the tropes cease. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the two discover an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence begins influencing the pair. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The whole movie is a methodically building horror experience, blending elements of fever-dream horrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). The director skillfully blends these components seamlessly and presents them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and removed from his social circle. He is terrified of the notion of completely losing his individual identity in another person. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie refrains from painting either of his characters the clear bad guy.
The couple confront the kind of problems that are inherent in most partnerships a decade in. At their core, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these fears of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory does not come across as overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that single viewers have seen the movie as a powerful case for remaining unattached. On the other hand, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could act as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the ending inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your other half and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can embark on today.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu now.
