We present a dare for long-term couples who enjoy scary movies: Sit down with your loved one and stream Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its online premiere on the Hulu service. On the surface, it may seem like conventional biological terror, but within Together lies a profound examination about how we choose to love one another.
An Introductory Film Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have been together for ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the actors contribute a special spark to their roles, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The plot starts when Millie and Tim move from the big city to the rural area for Millie’s job. A commonly used plot device, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the cliches cease. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their new home, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim tumble into an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence begins influencing the pair. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying of scares, blending bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes during something grotesque). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and delivers them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A large part 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 reluctance to chase only his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and removed from his network of friends. He fears the idea of completely losing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together avoids making either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie grapple with the type of challenges that are inherent in most partnerships over a long period. At their core, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, offer support, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of codependency and fully committing to another person, the allegory never feels clumsy or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that single viewers have interpreted the film as a strong argument for staying single. On the other hand, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could act as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the finale plant anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply look at your other half and state, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can experience right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
