We present a test for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of scary movies: Get comfortable with your partner and view Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its online premiere on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it may seem like conventional biological terror, but inside Together resides a intense contemplation about how we choose to love each other.
A Debut Feature Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together marks the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a special spark to their roles, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The plot commences when the couple transition from the metropolis to the countryside for her career. A somewhat stereotypical story element, sure, but that’s mostly where the cliches conclude. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim tumble into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity takes hold of the couple. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a slow burn horror experience, weaving in bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes amidst something horrific). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and removed from his support system. He is terrified of 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 mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together avoids making one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie face the sort of issues that arise in most partnerships a decade in. At their core, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these anxieties of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to another person, the allegory never feels clumsy or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama serve the other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, some couples having disagreements found that the film actually helped them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could function as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the ending inspire anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your other half and say, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can embark on right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu now.
