Consider this a test for partners in committed relationships who enjoy scary movies: Settle in with your partner and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit recently had its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like conventional physical horror, but within Together exists a profound meditation about our choices in loving our partners.
A Directorial Debut Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together represents the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have been together for over ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a special spark to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The narrative begins when the couple transition from the urban environment to the country for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the conventions conclude. 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 rural residence, a storm hits, and the protagonists fall into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a strange force starts to affect the duo. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying of scares, blending elements of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but never too gross) physical transformations, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and delivers them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and removed from his support system. He fears the notion of completely losing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is intensified by the reality he can’t drive and needs Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie refrains from painting Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that are inherent in most partnerships a decade in. Deep down, they continue to care for one another. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these fears of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the allegory does not come across as overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could function as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the ending sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply look at your significant other and say, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can undertake today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu as of this moment.
