Here's a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate scary movies: Sit down with your loved one and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its streaming debut via Hulu. At first glance, it could look like typical body horror, but inside Together exists a profound examination about our choices in loving each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together represents the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for a decade. United in marriage in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a particular energy to their roles, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The narrative begins when the couple relocate from the big city to the country for her career. A commonly used plot device, of course, but that’s mostly where the tropes end. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim discover an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a strange force begins influencing the duo. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The complete narrative is a slow burn of scares, weaving in bits of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes during something disturbing). Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and wraps them up in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they masterfully render countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and removed from his social circle. He is terrified of the notion of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie never makes either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters face the sort of issues that are inherent in most partnerships a decade in. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a powerful case for staying single. Meanwhile, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could function as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the ending plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your significant other and say, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can undertake today.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
