Here's a test for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy scary movies: Sit down with your loved one and stream Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. At first glance, it could look like conventional physical horror, but within Together exists a profound examination about our choices in loving each other.
A Directorial Debut Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together is the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a special spark to their roles, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The narrative commences when the couple relocate from the big city to the country for her career. A commonly used plot device, sure, but that’s primarily where the conventions end. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim tumble into an underground cave. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity takes hold of the couple. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying fright fest, interspersing elements of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes during something grotesque). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and removed from his social circle. He fears the concept of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he refrains from painting Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Both characters face the kind of problems that come with long-term unions over a long period. Fundamentally, they continue to care for one another. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these concerns of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism avoids being overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that single viewers have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. Conversely, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could act as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply look at your other half and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can embark on today.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu at present.
