Consider this a challenge for partners in committed relationships who are fans of scary movies: Settle in with your significant other and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its streaming debut on Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like standard body horror, but within Together resides a intense meditation about our choices in loving one another.
An Introductory Film Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for a decade. Having wed in actuality in 2017, the two stars infuse a particular energy to their characters, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The plot starts when the couple relocate from the metropolis to the countryside for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, sure, but that’s largely where the tropes cease. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim discover an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a strange force starts to affect the duo. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a methodically building fright fest, weaving in bits of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes during something disturbing). Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and delivers them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and removed from his support system. He is terrified of the notion of completely losing his individual identity in another person. This fear is amplified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together never makes one partner or the other the obvious villain.
The couple confront the kind of problems that come with long-term unions over a long period. At their core, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, offer support, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these fears of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory avoids being hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights work together symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that single viewers have interpreted the film as a powerful case for remaining unattached. On the other hand, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply look at your partner and state, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu at present.
