Consider this a challenge for long-term couples who are fans of scary movies: Settle in with your significant other and stream Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its online premiere on the Hulu service. At first glance, it may seem like conventional physical horror, but beneath Together resides a profound examination about the ways we decide to love our partners.
A Directorial Debut Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together is the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for a decade. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars contribute a unique chemistry to their characters, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The narrative begins when the couple transition from the metropolis to the countryside for Millie’s job. A commonly used story element, admittedly, but that’s largely where the tropes conclude. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim fall into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence begins influencing the couple. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying fright fest, interspersing bits of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and wraps them up in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and distant from his network of friends. He is terrified of the idea of totally forfeiting his individual identity in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together avoids making either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that come with most partnerships over a long period. At their core, they have affection for each other. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor avoids being hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. 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 movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. Conversely, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the ending inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply look at your other half and state, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can experience today.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform at present.
