We present a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy scary movies: Get comfortable with your significant other and stream Together. This 2025 indie hit has now made its streaming debut via Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like conventional physical horror, but within Together lies a profound contemplation about the ways we decide to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, the two stars bring a special spark to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The plot commences when the couple relocate from the big city to the country for professional reasons. A familiar story element, admittedly, but that’s largely where the tropes end. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their new home, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim tumble into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity takes hold of the duo. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past simple connection.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying of scares, interspersing elements of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his floundering music career inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and distant from his network of friends. He dreads the concept of totally forfeiting his individual identity in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie never makes either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters confront the type of challenges that come with long-term unions a decade in. Fundamentally, they still love each other. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory avoids being hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate 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 remaining unattached. On the other hand, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could act as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion plant anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your significant other and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can undertake today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu at present.
