We present a test for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of the horror genre: Settle in with your significant other and view Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its streaming debut via Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like typical biological terror, but inside Together exists a deep contemplation about our choices in loving our partners.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have remained a couple for over ten years. Having wed in actuality in 2017, the actors bring a particular energy to their characters, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The story begins when the couple relocate from the urban environment to the rural area for her career. A somewhat stereotypical story element, admittedly, but that’s largely where the tropes conclude. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the protagonists fall into an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a strange force begins influencing the pair. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying fright fest, weaving in moments of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but never too gross) body horror, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes during something horrific). The director weaves these elements together neatly and delivers them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and distant from his social circle. He dreads the idea of completely losing his sense of self in another person. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision is that he avoids making one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
The couple confront the kind of problems that arise in long-term unions after ten years. At their core, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to another person, the symbolism never feels clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that single viewers have interpreted the film as a strong argument for remaining unattached. On the other hand, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could act as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the ending plant anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your significant other and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform now.
