Here's a challenge for partners in committed relationships who are fans of scary movies: Sit down with your loved one and view Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its streaming debut via Hulu. On the surface, it could look like conventional biological terror, but inside Together resides a deep meditation about how we choose to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together is the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for a decade. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the actors bring a unique chemistry to their roles, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The narrative commences when Tim and Millie move from the metropolis to the country for professional reasons. A commonly used narrative setup, of course, but that’s primarily where the tropes cease. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the two discover an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence starts to affect the pair. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a methodically building fright fest, blending moments of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes amidst something disturbing). The director weaves these elements together seamlessly and presents them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and removed from his social circle. He fears the concept of completely losing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is intensified by the reality he can’t drive and needs Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision is that he refrains from painting Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Both characters confront the type of challenges that are inherent in most partnerships after ten years. At their core, they continue to care for each other. They find humor with each other, offer support, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these concerns of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory avoids being hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that single viewers have seen the movie as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could act as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale sow anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your significant other and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can undertake today.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
