Here's a test for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of scary movies: Settle in with your significant other and stream Together. The 2025 indie hit recently had its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like typical body horror, but inside Together exists a intense examination about how we choose to love one another.
A Debut Feature Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the two stars bring a unique chemistry to their roles, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The story begins when the couple relocate from the urban environment to the countryside for professional reasons. A commonly used story element, admittedly, but that’s largely where the conventions conclude. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their country house, a tempest descends, and the two discover an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence starts to affect the pair. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past simple connection.
The whole movie is a methodically building horror experience, weaving in moments of fever-dream horrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and presents them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render manifold depths 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 underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and distant from his social circle. He fears the notion of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in Together refrains from painting Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that come with any relationship over a long period. At their core, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these fears of excessive reliance and fully committing to another person, the symbolism avoids being hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that single viewers have seen the movie as a powerful case for staying single. Conversely, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could act as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the finale inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply turn to your significant other and say, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can experience right now.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu at present.
