Consider this a dare for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy scary movies: Get comfortable with your loved one and view Together. This 2025 indie hit just made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. On the surface, it might appear like typical biological terror, but inside Together lies a deep examination about our choices in loving one another.
A Directorial Debut Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together represents the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have remained a couple for ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, the two stars bring a unique chemistry to their roles, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The story starts when the couple relocate from the big city to the countryside for professional reasons. A familiar plot device, sure, but that’s mostly where the cliches conclude. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists discover an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a strange force begins influencing the duo. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a methodically building horror experience, weaving in elements of fever-dream horrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes during something horrific). The director weaves these elements together expertly and wraps them up in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and far away from his network of friends. He fears the idea of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together avoids making one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
The couple grapple with the type of challenges that come with long-term unions after ten years. Fundamentally, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of codependency and totally devoting oneself to another person, the metaphor does not come across as hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. It has been said that single viewers have understood the narrative as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the finale inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your partner and say, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu now.
