We present a test for partners in committed relationships who enjoy scary movies: Get comfortable 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 physical horror, but within Together lies a deep meditation about how we choose to love one another.
An Introductory Film Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together is the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for over ten years. Married in real life in 2017, the actors contribute a particular energy to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The story begins when Millie and Tim move from the big city to the countryside for professional reasons. A familiar story element, of course, but that’s mostly where the cliches cease. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their country house, a tempest descends, and the protagonists fall into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence starts to affect the pair. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying horror experience, weaving in elements of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) body horror, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes during something horrific). Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and presents them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his floundering music career inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and distant from his network of friends. He fears the notion of totally forfeiting his individual identity in another person. This fear is amplified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he avoids making either of his characters the clear bad guy.
The couple grapple with the sort of issues that arise in any relationship over a long period. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor never feels hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have understood the narrative as a strong argument for staying single. Conversely, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could function as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply look at your partner and say, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
