We present a test for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of scary movies: Settle in with your significant other and view Together. This 2025 indie hit has now made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. At first glance, it might appear like conventional body horror, but within Together resides a profound examination about how we choose to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for over ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the actors bring a unique chemistry to their roles, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The story starts when Millie and Tim transition from the metropolis to the rural area for her career. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the conventions cease. Together evolves 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 tempest descends, and the protagonists discover an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a strange force starts to affect the couple. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a methodically building fright fest, interspersing bits of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) body horror, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). The director weaves these elements together seamlessly and presents them in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and far away from his network of friends. He dreads the notion of totally forfeiting his individual identity in another person. This fear is amplified by the fact he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in Together avoids making either of his characters the obvious villain.
The couple face the sort of issues that come with any relationship after ten years. At their core, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of codependency and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the metaphor does not come across as hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that single viewers have understood the narrative as a strong argument for staying single. Meanwhile, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could act as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the finale plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply look at your other half and state, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can embark on today.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform at present.
