We present a challenge for partners in committed relationships who enjoy scary movies: Get comfortable with your loved one and view Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. On the surface, it could look like conventional biological terror, but within Together exists a deep contemplation about the ways we decide to love each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together represents the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for a decade. Married in real life in 2017, the actors bring a unique chemistry to their characters, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The narrative starts when Tim and Millie transition from the metropolis to the country for her career. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, sure, but that’s largely where the cliches conclude. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the protagonists fall into an underground cave. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence takes hold of the couple. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The whole movie is a methodically building fright fest, interspersing moments of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and delivers them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they masterfully render countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and distant from his network of friends. He dreads the concept of totally forfeiting his individual identity in his partner. This fear is amplified by the fact he can’t drive and relies on Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision is that he refrains from painting either of his characters the clear bad guy.
The couple grapple with the kind of problems that arise in long-term unions after ten years. At their core, they have affection for one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the metaphor does not come across as hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes 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 won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the ending inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply turn to your other half and say, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
