We present a challenge for partners in committed relationships who enjoy scary movies: Sit down with your significant other and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 has now made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like conventional physical horror, but within Together lies a profound meditation about how we choose to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, partners that have been together for a decade. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the actors bring a special spark to their characters, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The plot commences when Tim and Millie move from the urban environment to the rural area for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical story element, sure, but that’s primarily where the tropes end. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim tumble into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a strange force takes hold of the duo. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a slow burn fright fest, weaving in bits of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes during something grotesque). Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and presents them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and removed from his network of friends. He fears the notion of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie refrains from painting either of his characters the clear bad guy.
The couple confront the sort of issues that are inherent in long-term unions a decade in. At their core, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these fears of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor avoids being clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film actually helped them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could function as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your partner and utter, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can experience right now.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu now.
