Here's a test for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate scary movies: Get comfortable with your loved one and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its streaming debut on the Hulu service. At first glance, it might appear like typical biological terror, but beneath Together resides a profound contemplation about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Debut Feature Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have been together for a decade. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the actors infuse a unique chemistry to their characters, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The plot starts when Tim and Millie move from the urban environment to the country for her career. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s mostly where the tropes end. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their country house, a tempest descends, and the two fall into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a strange force starts to affect the duo. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a slow burn of scares, weaving in moments of fever-dream horrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and delivers them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is waning due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and distant from his network of friends. He dreads the idea of completely losing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is intensified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie refrains from painting either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie confront the sort of issues that arise in most partnerships after ten years. Deep down, they continue to care for each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these concerns of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to another person, the allegory never feels clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a brilliant analogue 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 left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Conversely, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the finale plant 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 look at your significant other and say, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can undertake right now.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
