Consider this a dare for long-term couples who are fans of scary movies: Get comfortable with your significant other and view Together. This 2025 indie hit just made its online premiere on Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like typical body horror, but beneath Together exists a profound meditation about how we choose to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together is the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for a decade. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the two stars infuse a special spark to their roles, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The narrative starts when Millie and Tim transition from the urban environment to the rural area for her career. A somewhat stereotypical story element, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the tropes conclude. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the two fall into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity starts to affect the duo. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past simple connection.
The entire film is a slow burn horror experience, weaving in bits of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes during something horrific). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is suffering due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and distant from his support system. He is terrified of the idea of completely losing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in Together avoids making one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
The couple confront the kind of problems that are inherent in long-term unions after ten years. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They share moments of joy, offer support, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to another person, the allegory never feels overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights serve the other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. It has been said that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a powerful case for staying single. On the other hand, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the finale inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your other half and say, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can experience right now.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
