Consider this a challenge for partners in committed relationships who enjoy scary movies: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. On the surface, it could look like conventional physical horror, but within Together lies a profound meditation about how we choose to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for a decade. Married in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a special spark to their characters, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The story begins when Millie and Tim move from the urban environment to the countryside for her career. A somewhat stereotypical story element, of course, but that’s primarily where the cliches cease. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists fall into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a strange force starts to affect the pair. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The whole movie is a methodically building of scares, weaving in bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). The director skillfully blends these components expertly and delivers them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and far away from his support system. He is terrified of the idea of completely losing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is amplified by the fact he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he refrains from painting either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie confront the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship over a long period. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these concerns of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism never feels hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights work together in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your other half and say, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can embark on right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
