Here's a test for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy scary movies: Sit down with your partner and stream Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like typical physical horror, but inside Together exists a intense contemplation about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for ten years. Having wed in actuality in 2017, the two stars bring a special spark to their roles, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The story commences when Millie and Tim transition from the urban environment to the countryside for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s largely where the conventions end. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim discover an underground cave. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity takes hold of the pair. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a methodically building of scares, blending bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes amidst something disturbing). The director weaves these elements together expertly and presents them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and distant from his network of friends. He is terrified of the idea of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is amplified by the fact he can’t drive and relies on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he refrains from painting one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Both characters confront the kind of problems that arise in any relationship a decade in. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these concerns of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor avoids being hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, certain partners having disagreements found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could function as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the finale inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply look at your partner and say, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can undertake right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
