We present a test for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy scary movies: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. This 2025 indie hit just made its streaming debut on Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like standard biological terror, but beneath Together lies a intense meditation about the ways we decide to love one another.
An Introductory Film Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for a decade. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars contribute a unique chemistry to their characters, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The narrative starts when Tim and Millie move from the big city to the country for professional reasons. A commonly used plot device, of course, but that’s largely where the conventions end. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the protagonists tumble into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a strange force starts to affect the couple. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a methodically building fright fest, weaving in moments of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence 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 inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and removed from his social circle. He is terrified of the idea of totally forfeiting his sense of self in another person. This fear is intensified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie refrains from painting either of his characters the clear bad guy.
The couple grapple with the sort of issues that are inherent in long-term unions after ten years. Deep down, they continue to care for one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. 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 response could act as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale sow anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your significant other and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu now.
