Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of scary movies: Sit down with your partner and stream Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its online premiere on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it may seem like standard body horror, but inside Together resides a intense contemplation about how we choose to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together represents the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for a decade. Having wed in real life in 2017, the two stars bring a particular energy to their characters, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The narrative starts when Millie and Tim relocate from the urban environment to the rural area for her career. A commonly used story element, sure, but that’s primarily where the conventions conclude. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their country house, a storm hits, and the two discover an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a strange force begins influencing the pair. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a methodically building horror experience, weaving in moments of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). The director skillfully blends these components seamlessly and wraps them up in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is only 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 deteriorating 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 isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and far away from his network of friends. He dreads the concept of totally forfeiting his sense of self in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in Together refrains from painting Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
The couple grapple with the kind of problems that arise in long-term unions after ten years. At their core, they have affection for each other. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these fears of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism avoids being hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights work together symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Conversely, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could act as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the finale plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your significant other and say, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can experience today.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu now.
