Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of scary movies: Sit down with your significant other and watch Together. This 2025 indie hit has now made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. At first glance, it might appear like typical body horror, but beneath Together exists a intense examination about our choices in loving each other.
A Directorial Debut Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together marks the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars contribute a special spark to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The plot starts when Millie and Tim relocate from the urban environment to the rural area for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the conventions end. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the protagonists fall into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity begins influencing the pair. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying horror experience, weaving in elements of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is only the two lead actors, and they masterfully render countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is suffering due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and distant from his social circle. He dreads the concept of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is amplified by the reality he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie never makes either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters grapple with the kind of problems that arise in most partnerships a decade in. Fundamentally, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these concerns of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism never feels hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights work together in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that single viewers have seen the movie as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the ending plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your significant other and say, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can undertake right now.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu at present.
