Here's a challenge for partners in committed relationships who are fans of scary movies: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. This 2025 indie hit has now made its online premiere on Hulu. At first glance, it could look like conventional biological terror, but inside Together resides a profound contemplation about the ways we decide to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have been together for ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a unique chemistry to their roles, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The story commences when Tim and Millie relocate from the urban environment to the rural area for professional reasons. A commonly used narrative setup, of course, but that’s mostly where the cliches conclude. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the two fall into an underground cave. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity takes hold of the couple. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The entire film is a methodically building horror experience, blending moments of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes during something disturbing). The director weaves these elements together neatly and delivers them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and removed from his network of friends. He dreads the notion of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie never makes Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie face the type of challenges that come with long-term unions a decade in. At their core, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these anxieties of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory avoids being hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama work together symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have understood the narrative as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the finale plant anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your partner and state, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is streaming on Hulu at present.
