Here's a dare for partners in committed relationships who appreciate scary movies: Settle in with your partner and watch Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it may seem like conventional physical horror, but beneath Together exists a deep contemplation about our choices in loving each other.
A Debut Feature Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for a decade. Having wed in real life in 2017, the actors infuse a special spark to their characters, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The plot begins when Millie and Tim move from the big city to the rural area for her career. A commonly used story element, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the conventions cease. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim tumble into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity begins influencing the pair. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The entire film is a methodically building of scares, interspersing bits of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but never too gross) physical transformations, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and presents them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is only Brie and Franco, 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 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 impetus they’ve relocated rural and distant from his social circle. He is terrified of the concept of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together avoids making Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie confront the sort of issues that come with long-term unions a decade in. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these fears of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the metaphor does not come across as overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Conversely, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could function as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your partner and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can experience today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform at present.
