Consider this a test for partners in committed relationships who enjoy scary movies: Sit down with your significant other and view Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like conventional biological terror, but beneath Together lies a intense examination about how we choose to love each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for ten years. Married in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a particular energy to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The story begins when Millie and Tim move from the metropolis to the rural area for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical story element, sure, but that’s largely where the conventions cease. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim discover an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity begins influencing the couple. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The whole movie is a slow burn horror experience, blending bits of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes during something horrific). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and far away from his support system. He dreads the concept of totally forfeiting his individual identity in his partner. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together avoids making Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
The couple grapple with the type of challenges that arise in any relationship after ten years. Deep down, they still love one another. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism avoids being hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could function as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the finale inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply look at your other half and say, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can undertake right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
