Here's a dare for partners in committed relationships who appreciate scary movies: Settle in with your loved one and watch Together. This 2025 indie hit just made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. On the surface, it could look like typical physical horror, but beneath Together resides a profound examination about our choices in loving each other.
A Debut Feature Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have been together for a decade. Married 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 narrative begins when Tim and Millie transition from the big city to the rural area for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, sure, but that’s primarily where the conventions cease. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim discover an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity begins influencing the pair. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The complete narrative is a slow burn fright fest, interspersing elements of fever-dream horrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes during something horrific). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and delivers them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and far away from his network of friends. He dreads the concept of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is intensified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie avoids making one partner or the other the obvious villain.
The couple face the type of challenges that arise in most partnerships after ten years. Fundamentally, they continue to care for one another. They share moments of joy, offer support, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama work together symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a powerful case for staying single. On the other hand, some couples having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could act as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your other half and state, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can embark on today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform at present.
