Consider this a test for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy scary movies: Settle in with your loved one and view Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like conventional biological terror, but beneath Together exists a intense contemplation about our choices in loving one another.
An Introductory Film Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for a decade. Having wed in real life in 2017, the actors infuse a particular energy to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The plot commences when Tim and Millie transition from the metropolis to the country for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, of course, but that’s primarily where the cliches end. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the two tumble into an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence takes hold of the pair. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past simple connection.
The complete narrative is a slow burn fright fest, weaving in elements of dreamlike terrors, gross (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes during something disturbing). Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and presents them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and far away from his network of friends. He dreads the concept of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is intensified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in Together avoids making Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie grapple with the sort of issues that come with long-term unions a decade in. Deep down, they still love one another. They share moments of joy, offer support, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these fears of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory does not come across as overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a powerful case for staying single. Meanwhile, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could function as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion sow anxiety and horror, 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 state, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can undertake today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
