We present a test for long-term couples who enjoy scary movies: Get comfortable with your significant other and view Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. At first glance, it may seem like typical physical horror, but inside Together resides a deep meditation about our choices in loving each other.
An Introductory Film Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for a decade. Married in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a special spark to their roles, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The narrative begins when Tim and Millie transition from the urban environment to the countryside for her career. A somewhat stereotypical story element, admittedly, but that’s largely where the tropes conclude. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the protagonists fall into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity starts to affect the couple. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a slow burn fright fest, blending elements of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and presents them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render countless layers to the characters’ relationship. 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 slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and removed from his network of friends. He fears the notion of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he can’t drive and needs Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together never makes either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters confront the kind of problems that arise in long-term unions over a long period. Deep down, they still love one another. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these concerns of codependency and totally devoting oneself to another person, the allegory does not come across as clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a strong argument for staying single. On the other hand, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could act as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the ending plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply look at your partner and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can undertake right now.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu at present.
