Here's a test for partners in committed relationships who enjoy scary movies: Sit down with your significant other and view Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. At first glance, it might appear like typical biological terror, but inside Together exists a intense meditation about our choices in loving our partners.
An Introductory Film Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for over ten years. Married in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a unique chemistry to their characters, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative begins when the couple relocate from the big city to the country for professional reasons. A familiar plot device, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the tropes conclude. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the two fall into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence starts to affect the pair. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying of scares, weaving in elements of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but never too gross) body horror, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). The director weaves these elements together expertly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and far away from his support system. He dreads the idea of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is amplified by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie refrains from painting Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Both characters grapple with the sort of issues that come with any relationship after ten years. At their core, they continue to care for each other. They find humor with each other, offer support, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these fears of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to another person, the symbolism does not come across as clumsy or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could act as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the ending inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply turn to your significant other and state, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can experience today.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform now.
