We present a test for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate scary movies: Sit down with your loved one and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 has now made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it may seem like conventional physical horror, but beneath Together lies a intense contemplation about how we choose to love our partners.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the actors infuse a unique chemistry to their characters, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The narrative begins when the couple relocate from the big city to the rural area for professional reasons. A familiar story element, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the cliches conclude. 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 hiking near their country house, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim fall into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence takes hold of the pair. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The entire film is a slow burn fright fest, weaving in moments of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes during something grotesque). The director orchestrates these parts neatly and delivers them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is waning due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and distant from his social circle. He fears the notion of completely losing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together avoids making one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie grapple with the kind of problems that arise in long-term unions after ten years. At their core, they still love each other. 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 future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these concerns of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the metaphor never feels hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a powerful case for staying single. Meanwhile, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could function as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your other half and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can experience right now.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu at present.
