Here's a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of scary movies: Settle in with your significant other and stream Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it might appear like standard physical horror, but inside Together lies a intense contemplation about our choices in loving our partners.
A Debut Feature Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for a decade. Married in actuality in 2017, the actors infuse a particular energy to their characters, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The story commences when Tim and Millie transition from the urban environment to the rural area for her career. A familiar story element, of course, but that’s primarily where the conventions conclude. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their country house, a storm hits, and the two discover an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a strange force starts to affect the pair. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying of scares, interspersing elements of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but tastefully done) body horror, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes amidst something horrific). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and delivers them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and far away from his social circle. He is terrified of the notion of totally forfeiting his sense of self in another person. This fear is intensified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together never makes either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie grapple with the kind of problems that come with most partnerships over a long period. Deep down, they continue to care for one another. They share moments of joy, offer support, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to another person, the metaphor never feels overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a powerful case for staying single. Conversely, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could function as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your significant other and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can undertake right now.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu now.
