Here's a test for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of scary movies: Settle in with your significant other and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its streaming debut on Hulu. At first glance, it could look like typical physical horror, but beneath Together exists a profound contemplation about our choices in loving our partners.
A Directorial Debut Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for over ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, the actors contribute a unique chemistry to their characters, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The story begins when the couple relocate from the urban environment to the rural area for her career. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s primarily where the tropes cease. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their country house, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim discover an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a strange force takes hold of the couple. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a methodically building fright fest, blending moments of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes during something grotesque). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his floundering music career gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and far away from his support system. He dreads the concept of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in Together refrains from painting either of his characters the obvious villain.
The couple grapple with the kind of problems that come with any relationship a decade in. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, offer support, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these concerns of codependency and totally devoting oneself to another person, the allegory 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 is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Conversely, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the finale plant anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist 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 test you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu now.
