We present a dare for long-term couples who appreciate scary movies: Sit down with your loved one and view Together. This 2025 indie hit has now made its streaming debut on Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like standard biological terror, but within Together resides a deep meditation about the ways we decide to love each other.
An Introductory Film Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together is the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for a decade. Having wed in reality in 2017, the actors contribute a special spark to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The plot begins when Tim and Millie move from the metropolis to the country for professional reasons. A commonly used plot device, admittedly, but that’s largely where the conventions conclude. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim discover an underground cave. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a strange force begins influencing the couple. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The whole movie is a methodically building of scares, weaving in bits of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and presents them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and distant from his network of friends. He is terrified of the idea of completely losing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision in Together refrains from painting one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Both characters face the kind of problems that arise in any relationship after ten years. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism never feels overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal work together symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. It has been said that single viewers have interpreted the film as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the ending sow anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your partner and say, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can embark on right now.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
