We present a test for long-term couples who appreciate scary movies: Settle in with your significant other and view Together. The 2025 indie hit recently had its online premiere via Hulu. At first glance, it could look like typical body horror, but inside Together exists a deep examination about our choices in loving one another.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for over ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the actors contribute a particular energy to their characters, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The narrative commences when the couple transition from the urban environment to the rural area for her career. A familiar plot device, sure, but that’s primarily where the conventions cease. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists fall into an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence starts to affect the duo. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a slow burn horror experience, blending bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but never too gross) body horror, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and delivers them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is waning due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and far away from his social circle. He is terrified of the notion of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie refrains from painting one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that come with any relationship a decade in. At their core, they have affection for each other. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these concerns of codependency and totally devoting oneself to another person, the allegory does not come across as overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that single viewers have understood the narrative as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could function as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the ending plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your significant other and utter, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can undertake today.
Together is streaming on Hulu as of this moment.
