Consider this a challenge for long-term couples who appreciate scary movies: Get comfortable with your significant other and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like typical biological terror, but within Together lies a intense examination about the ways we decide to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for over ten years. Having wed in actuality in 2017, the actors bring a unique chemistry to their roles, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The narrative starts when the couple relocate from the urban environment to the rural area for professional reasons. A commonly used story element, of course, but that’s largely where the conventions conclude. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their country house, a tempest descends, and the protagonists fall into an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity takes hold of the pair. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past simple connection.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying fright fest, interspersing elements of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and presents them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is only the two lead actors, and they masterfully render countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and removed from his social circle. He dreads the concept of totally forfeiting his sense of self in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he can’t drive and relies on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie refrains from painting either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters confront the kind of problems that come with most partnerships over a long period. Fundamentally, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of codependency and totally devoting oneself to another person, the metaphor avoids being hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. 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 response could act as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the ending sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply look at your significant other and state, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can experience today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform at present.
