Consider this a test for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy scary movies: Settle in with your loved one and view Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its streaming debut on the Hulu service. On the surface, it may seem like typical physical horror, but inside Together lies a profound examination about how we choose to love each other.
An Introductory Film Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have been together for over ten years. Married in real life in 2017, the actors bring a particular energy to their roles, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The narrative commences when Tim and Millie move from the metropolis to the rural area for Millie’s job. A familiar narrative setup, sure, but that’s primarily where the conventions end. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their country house, a tempest descends, and the two fall into an underground cave. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity starts to affect the couple. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a slow burn of scares, blending elements of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and presents them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness 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 reason they’ve moved to the country and far away from his social circle. He dreads the concept of totally forfeiting his sense of self in another person. This fear is intensified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie never makes Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie grapple with the type of challenges that arise in most partnerships after ten years. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these fears of codependency and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the allegory never feels clumsy or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a strong argument for staying single. Conversely, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could act as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the finale inspire anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your partner and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can undertake today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform at present.
