Consider this a test for partners in committed relationships who appreciate scary movies: Sit down with your loved one and watch Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its online premiere via Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like standard body horror, but within Together resides a profound meditation about the ways we decide to love one another.
A Debut Feature Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for ten years. Married in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a unique chemistry to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The story starts when the couple relocate from the big city to the country for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical story element, sure, but that’s largely where the tropes end. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their new home, a storm hits, and the two tumble into an underground cave. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a strange force takes hold of the couple. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a slow burn of scares, weaving in bits of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes during something disturbing). The director weaves these elements together neatly and presents them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is suffering due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and distant from his network of friends. He dreads the notion of totally forfeiting his sense of self in his partner. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie refrains from painting either of his characters the clear bad guy.
The couple confront the kind of problems that arise in most partnerships over a long period. At their core, they have affection for one another. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the metaphor does not come across as clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. It has been said that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your significant other and say, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can undertake right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
