Here's a test for partners in committed relationships who are fans of scary movies: Settle in with your significant other and stream Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its online premiere on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it may seem like standard biological terror, but inside Together lies a profound meditation about the ways we decide to love each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together represents the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the actors bring a unique chemistry to their characters, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The story begins when Tim and Millie transition from the urban environment to the country for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical story element, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the tropes end. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the protagonists tumble into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a strange force begins influencing the pair. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a slow burn horror experience, interspersing moments of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and presents them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and removed from his social circle. He dreads the notion of completely losing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he can’t drive and needs Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision is that he avoids making one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Both characters face the sort of issues that arise in long-term unions after ten years. Deep down, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to another person, the allegory does not come across as hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could act as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the ending sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply look at your significant other and utter, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can undertake right now.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu now.
