Here's a challenge for long-term couples who appreciate scary movies: Settle in with your significant other and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it could look like conventional physical horror, but inside Together lies a profound meditation about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Debut Feature Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for a decade. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars infuse a special spark to their characters, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The narrative commences when Millie and Tim transition from the metropolis to the rural area for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, sure, but that’s primarily where the cliches end. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the two tumble into an underground cave. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a strange force takes hold of the pair. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a methodically building of scares, interspersing elements of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes during something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and presents them in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance 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 impetus they’ve left the city and distant from his support system. He dreads the notion of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in another person. This fear is amplified by the fact he can’t drive and needs Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together never makes either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie face the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship a decade in. At their core, they continue to care for one another. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these anxieties of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor avoids being overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. It has been said that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, some couples having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could function as a revealing measure 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 one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your partner and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu now.
