Here's a test for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy scary movies: Settle in with your significant other and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like standard body horror, but within Together exists a deep examination about the ways we decide to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together marks the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have been together for ten years. Having wed in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a special spark to their characters, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative commences when Millie and Tim relocate from the urban environment to the countryside for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, admittedly, but that’s largely where the tropes end. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim discover an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence starts to affect the pair. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying horror experience, interspersing bits of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and presents them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is only the two lead actors, and they deftly portray countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his floundering music career gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and far away from his support system. He dreads the idea of totally forfeiting his sense of self in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together refrains from painting either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Both characters grapple with the sort of issues that come with long-term unions a decade in. At their core, they still love each other. They still laugh together, offer support, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these fears of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism never feels hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a strong argument for staying single. Meanwhile, some couples having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? 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 experience right now.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu at present.
