Consider this a challenge for partners in committed relationships who enjoy scary movies: Sit down with your loved one and watch Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its online premiere on the Hulu service. At first glance, it may seem like typical body horror, but inside Together lies a intense contemplation about our choices in loving each other.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for over ten years. Having wed in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a particular energy to their characters, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The narrative starts when the couple relocate from the metropolis to the country for professional reasons. A familiar plot device, sure, but that’s mostly where the conventions end. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim discover an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a strange force starts to affect the duo. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The complete narrative is a slow burn of scares, weaving in bits of dreamlike terrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). The director skillfully blends these components seamlessly and delivers them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and distant from his support system. He fears the idea of completely losing his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is amplified by the reality he can’t drive and relies on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie avoids making either of his characters the obvious villain.
The couple face the sort of issues that come with long-term unions after ten years. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these concerns of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have understood the narrative as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could act as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your partner and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can embark on today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu at present.
