Here's a test for long-term couples who are fans of horror films: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like typical biological terror, but inside Together lies a deep meditation about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for a decade. Having wed in actuality in 2017, the two stars bring a unique chemistry to their characters, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The plot begins when Tim and Millie transition from the metropolis to the country for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s mostly where the tropes cease. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their new home, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim discover an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence starts to affect the pair. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The whole movie is a methodically building of scares, weaving in elements of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but never too gross) physical transformations, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes amidst something horrific). Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and delivers them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and distant from his support system. He is terrified of the notion of completely losing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together never makes either of his characters the obvious villain.
Both characters confront the type of challenges that are inherent in most partnerships a decade in. Deep down, they continue to care for each other. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to another person, the allegory never feels clumsy or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present 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 ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a compelling reason for staying single. Meanwhile, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the ending sow anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your significant other and say, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is streaming on Hulu at present.
