Here's a challenge for long-term couples who appreciate scary movies: Get comfortable with your significant other and view Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its online premiere via Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like conventional biological terror, but within Together lies a deep contemplation about how we choose to love one another.
A Debut Feature Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for over ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars contribute a particular energy to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The narrative starts when Tim and Millie relocate from the urban environment to the rural area for her career. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s primarily where the cliches end. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim tumble into an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a strange force starts to affect the couple. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying of scares, interspersing moments of fever-dream horrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes amidst something horrific). The director skillfully blends these components neatly and delivers them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is only the two lead actors, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and removed from his social circle. He is terrified of the concept of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he never makes Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie face the kind of problems that arise in any relationship over a long period. Fundamentally, they still love one another. They find humor with each other, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor does not come across as hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, some couples having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply turn to your significant other and state, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can experience right now.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
