Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of scary movies: Settle in with your loved one and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its online premiere via Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like standard physical horror, but within Together resides a deep examination about our choices in loving each other.
An Introductory Film Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars infuse a special spark to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The story commences when Tim and Millie move from the metropolis to the country for her career. A somewhat stereotypical story element, sure, but that’s mostly where the cliches cease. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim discover an underground cave. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a strange force starts to affect the couple. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying of scares, blending elements of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes amidst something grotesque). The director weaves these elements together expertly and presents them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
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. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is waning due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and removed from his support system. He is terrified of the idea of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he avoids making one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
The couple grapple with the type of challenges that arise in most partnerships over a long period. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these anxieties of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the allegory avoids being hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama work together in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a strong argument for staying single. Conversely, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could function as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply look at your partner and say, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can embark on right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
