Consider this a test for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate scary movies: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. This 2025 indie hit has now made its online premiere via Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like conventional biological terror, but within Together exists a deep meditation about our choices in loving one another.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the actors infuse a special spark to their roles, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The plot starts when the couple transition from the metropolis to the rural area for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, sure, but that’s primarily where the cliches cease. 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 tempest descends, and the protagonists tumble into an underground cave. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a strange force takes hold of the couple. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The entire film is a slow burn of scares, interspersing elements of fever-dream horrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes amidst something disturbing). The director orchestrates these parts seamlessly and presents them in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and removed from his support system. He is terrified of the notion of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is intensified by the fact he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie avoids making one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie confront the kind of problems that arise in most partnerships after ten years. At their core, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these concerns of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism avoids being hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights work together in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that single viewers have seen the movie as a compelling reason for staying single. Meanwhile, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the finale plant anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your partner and state, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can undertake today.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
