Here's a test for long-term couples who are fans of scary movies: Sit down with your loved one and view Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. At first glance, it could look like typical physical horror, but within Together resides a profound meditation about the ways we decide to love our partners.
A Directorial Debut Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for over ten years. Having wed in actuality in 2017, the two stars bring a particular energy to their characters, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The plot begins when the couple relocate from the urban environment to the countryside for Millie’s job. A commonly used story element, of course, but that’s primarily where the tropes 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.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the two tumble into an underground cave. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence begins influencing the duo. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a slow burn of scares, blending moments of fever-dream horrors, gross (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and presents them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and removed from his social circle. He dreads the notion of completely losing his sense of self in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he refrains from painting Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
The couple face the kind of problems that come with long-term unions a decade in. Deep down, they still love each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these anxieties of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism never feels hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for staying single. On the other hand, certain partners having disagreements found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could function as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion sow anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply turn to your partner and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can embark on today.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
