Consider this a challenge for partners in committed relationships who enjoy scary movies: Settle in with your loved one and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its streaming debut via Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like standard biological terror, but beneath Together resides a profound examination about our choices in loving one another.
An Introductory Film Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together represents the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have been together for over ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a special spark to their characters, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The story starts when Tim and Millie transition from the big city to the country for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s largely where the conventions end. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their new home, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim discover an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a strange force takes hold of the pair. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying of scares, blending moments of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) body horror, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and removed from his social circle. He fears the notion of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he never makes either of his characters the obvious villain.
The couple confront the kind of problems that are inherent in long-term unions over a long period. At their core, they still love each other. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory does not come across as clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a strong argument for staying single. Meanwhile, certain partners having disagreements found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could function as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the ending sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your other half and state, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can experience at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
