Consider this a test for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate scary movies: Settle in with your partner and stream Together. The 2025 indie hit recently had its online premiere via Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like conventional biological terror, but inside Together resides a deep meditation about how we choose to love each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together represents the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for over ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, the two stars infuse a particular energy to their roles, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The narrative starts when the couple move from the urban environment to the country for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, sure, but that’s largely where the conventions conclude. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their new home, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim tumble into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a strange force takes hold of the duo. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying of scares, interspersing moments of fever-dream horrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and delivers them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and far away from his support system. He dreads the concept of totally forfeiting his sense of self in his partner. This fear is amplified by the fact he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he refrains from painting either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Both characters confront the type of challenges that come with long-term unions a decade in. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of codependency and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the allegory does not come across as overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. It has been said that single viewers have seen the movie as a powerful case for staying single. On the other hand, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your partner and state, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu as of this moment.
