Here's a dare for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy scary movies: Sit down with your loved one and stream Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its online premiere on Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like typical physical horror, but beneath Together lies a profound examination about how we choose to love one another.
An Introductory Film Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for over ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the two stars bring a particular energy to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The plot begins when Tim and Millie relocate from the big city to the country for Millie’s job. A familiar plot device, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the conventions cease. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their new home, a storm hits, and the protagonists fall into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence starts to affect the couple. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The entire film is a methodically building horror experience, weaving in elements of fever-dream horrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes during something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and removed from his network of friends. He is terrified of the idea of completely losing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is amplified by the fact he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie avoids making Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
The couple confront the sort of issues that come with long-term unions over a long period. Fundamentally, they still love each other. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to another person, the symbolism never feels hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. It has been said that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a powerful case for remaining unattached. On the other hand, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could function as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply look at your partner and utter, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can experience right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform now.
