Here's a test for long-term couples who are fans of scary movies: Settle in with your significant other and view Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its streaming debut via Hulu. On the surface, it could look like conventional physical horror, but within Together lies a deep contemplation about how we choose to love each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together is the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for a decade. Having wed in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a particular energy to their characters, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative starts when the couple relocate from the urban environment to the country for professional reasons. A familiar plot device, sure, but that’s primarily where the conventions end. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the two discover an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence starts to affect the pair. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying fright fest, interspersing elements of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but never too gross) physical transformations, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). The director orchestrates these parts neatly and presents them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and far away from his support system. He fears the concept of completely losing his sense of self in another person. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he can’t drive and needs Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he refrains from painting Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Both characters face the sort of issues that arise in any relationship a decade in. Fundamentally, they still love one another. They still laugh together, offer support, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these anxieties of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor does not come across as clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for staying single. Conversely, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could function as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the ending plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your other half and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can experience today.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform now.
