We present a dare for long-term couples who enjoy scary movies: Sit down with your partner and view Together. This 2025 indie hit has now made its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. At first glance, it could look like typical physical horror, but inside Together exists a profound contemplation about how we choose to love each other.
A Debut Feature Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a special spark to their roles, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The story begins when the couple relocate from the metropolis to the country for her career. A familiar story element, of course, but that’s largely where the cliches cease. Together becomes 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 walking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the protagonists discover an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity begins influencing the couple. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past simple connection.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying of scares, weaving in elements of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but never too gross) body horror, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes during something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his floundering music career inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and removed from his social circle. He is terrified of the idea of completely losing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he never makes either of his characters the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie face the type of challenges that are inherent in most partnerships over a long period. Deep down, they continue to care for each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism avoids being hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for staying single. Meanwhile, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the finale sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your partner and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can undertake right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu at present.
