Consider this a test for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate scary movies: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its online premiere via Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like conventional physical horror, but beneath Together exists a profound examination about how we choose to love each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for a decade. Having wed in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a unique chemistry to their characters, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The story commences when Tim and Millie relocate from the urban environment to the country for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, sure, but that’s mostly where the conventions conclude. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists tumble into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity starts to affect the couple. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a slow burn horror experience, interspersing elements of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray 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 unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and distant from his network of friends. He fears the idea of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is intensified by the reality he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision is that he refrains from painting Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that come with long-term unions after ten years. At their core, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these concerns of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the metaphor never feels hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that single viewers have understood the narrative as a strong argument for staying single. Meanwhile, some couples having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your partner and say, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can embark on right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform now.
