We present a dare for long-term couples who enjoy scary movies: Sit down with your partner and view Together. This 2025 indie hit just made its online premiere via Hulu. At first glance, it could look like conventional physical horror, but beneath Together resides a profound examination about our choices in loving each other.
A Debut Feature Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together marks the first full-length movie 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 ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the two stars infuse a special spark to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The plot commences when Millie and Tim relocate from the urban environment to the country for her career. A commonly used plot device, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the cliches end. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the two fall into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a strange force takes hold of the couple. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a slow burn of scares, blending bits of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and delivers them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and distant from his social circle. He fears the notion of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in another person. This fear is amplified by the reality he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie refrains from painting Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that arise in any relationship after ten years. Fundamentally, they continue to care for each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these anxieties of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism never feels hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama work together in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that single viewers have interpreted the film as a powerful case for staying single. Meanwhile, some couples having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply turn to your other half and say, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is streaming on Hulu at present.
