We present a dare for long-term couples who enjoy the horror genre: Sit down with your loved one and view Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like typical biological terror, but within Together lies a deep contemplation about how we choose to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for over ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, the two stars bring a particular energy to their roles, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The story begins when the couple relocate from the metropolis to the country for professional reasons. A familiar story element, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the cliches end. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their country house, a storm hits, and the two tumble into an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity takes hold of the couple. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past simple connection.
The complete narrative is a slow burn of scares, weaving in moments of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and far away from his support system. He fears the concept of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie avoids making either of his characters the obvious villain.
Both characters face the type of challenges that arise in most partnerships after ten years. Deep down, they continue to care for each other. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these fears of codependency and fully committing to another person, the symbolism avoids being hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama work together in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that single viewers have seen the movie as a strong argument for remaining unattached. On the other hand, certain partners having disagreements found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could function as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion plant anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply look at your other half and state, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu now.
