Here's a challenge for partners in committed relationships who appreciate scary movies: Get comfortable with your significant other and view Together. This 2025 indie hit just made its online premiere on Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like conventional physical horror, but inside Together resides a profound examination about how we choose to love one another.
A Debut Feature Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together is the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have remained a couple for a decade. Married in actuality in 2017, the actors infuse a unique chemistry to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The plot starts when Millie and Tim move from the metropolis to the country for Millie’s job. A familiar narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s largely where the conventions conclude. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the protagonists fall into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence begins influencing the duo. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past simple connection.
The entire film is a slow burn horror experience, interspersing bits of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but never too gross) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes amidst something grotesque). The director skillfully blends these components expertly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and removed from his support system. He fears the idea of totally forfeiting his individual identity in his partner. This fear is intensified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together never makes Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
The couple confront the type of challenges that come with long-term unions after ten years. At their core, they have affection for each other. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to another person, the metaphor never feels hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Conversely, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could function as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the finale sow anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your partner and state, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can experience right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu as of this moment.
