Consider this a dare for long-term couples who appreciate scary movies: Settle in with your loved one and stream Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its streaming debut via Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like standard physical horror, but beneath Together lies a deep contemplation about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Debut Feature Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It showcases 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 remained a couple for over ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the actors contribute a unique chemistry to their roles, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The narrative starts when the couple relocate from the urban environment to the country for professional reasons. A commonly used story element, sure, but that’s largely where the cliches end. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their country house, a tempest descends, and the two tumble into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity starts to affect the couple. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The complete narrative is a methodically building fright fest, blending bits of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and presents them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and far away from his social circle. He dreads the idea of totally forfeiting his individual identity in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together never makes one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Both characters face the kind of problems that are inherent in most partnerships a decade in. Fundamentally, they continue to care for one another. They share moments of joy, offer support, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these concerns of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism does not come across as clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that single viewers have understood the narrative as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the finale inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your significant other and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu at present.
