We present a dare for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy scary movies: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 has now made its online premiere on the Hulu service. On the surface, it may seem like typical biological terror, but within Together resides a intense meditation about our choices in loving each other.
A Debut Feature Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, the two stars contribute a unique chemistry to their characters, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The plot commences when the couple transition from the big city to the country for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s mostly where the conventions end. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the two fall into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a strange force takes hold of the pair. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The entire film is a methodically building horror experience, interspersing elements of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) body horror, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes during something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and delivers them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they deftly portray countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and far away from his network of friends. He fears the idea of totally forfeiting his sense of self in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he never makes one partner or the other the obvious villain.
The couple grapple with the kind of problems that are inherent in most partnerships over a long period. At their core, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism avoids being clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that single viewers have interpreted the film as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could function as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your significant other and say, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can embark on today.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
