Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of scary movies: Sit down with your significant other and view Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it might appear like standard biological terror, but beneath Together exists a deep meditation about how we choose to love each other.
An Introductory Film Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for a decade. Married in real life in 2017, the two stars bring a special spark to their characters, skillfully embodying 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 familiar narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the conventions conclude. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists tumble into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence starts to affect the pair. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a methodically building fright fest, weaving in moments of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and far away from his support system. He is terrified of the notion of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is amplified by the reality he can’t drive and relies on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie avoids making Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
The couple confront the kind of problems that arise in most partnerships over a long period. Fundamentally, they still love each other. They find humor with each other, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these fears of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor avoids being hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. It has been said that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could function as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion sow anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply turn to your other half and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
