Consider this a challenge for long-term couples who appreciate scary movies: Sit down with your significant other and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit recently had its streaming debut on the Hulu service. At first glance, it could look like conventional physical horror, but inside Together exists a profound examination about how we choose to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together represents the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for a decade. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the actors infuse a special spark to their roles, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The narrative commences when the couple transition from the urban environment to the rural area for Millie’s job. A commonly used narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the conventions end. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists fall into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence takes hold of the duo. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a slow burn horror experience, interspersing bits of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and presents them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they deftly portray countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and removed from his social circle. He dreads the concept of completely losing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he can’t drive and needs Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together avoids making either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Both characters confront the type of challenges that are inherent in long-term unions after ten years. Deep down, they still love one another. They find humor with each other, offer support, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama work together symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a powerful case for staying single. Conversely, some couples experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could function as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion plant anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply look at your significant other and say, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can undertake right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
