Consider this a dare for partners in committed relationships who appreciate scary movies: Settle in with your partner and view Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its streaming debut via Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like typical body horror, but inside Together resides a deep meditation about our choices in loving one another.
A Debut Feature Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together represents the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have been together for ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars contribute a particular energy to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The story starts when Tim and Millie transition from the metropolis to the rural area for her career. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s largely where the cliches end. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the two fall into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a strange force takes hold of the couple. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying fright fest, blending bits of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes amidst something disturbing). The director weaves these elements together expertly and delivers them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they deftly portray countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is suffering due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and far away from his network of friends. He dreads the notion of completely losing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is intensified by the fact he can’t drive and relies on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he never makes either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters grapple with the sort of issues that are inherent in most partnerships a decade in. At their core, they still love each other. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these anxieties of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor avoids being overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama work together symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could function as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your significant other and say, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
