Consider this a test for long-term couples who appreciate scary movies: Get comfortable with your partner and view Together. The 2025 indie hit recently had its online premiere on Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like typical biological terror, but within Together lies a deep contemplation about how we choose to love one another.
An Introductory Film Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for a decade. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the actors bring a particular energy to their roles, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The plot begins when the couple transition from the big city to the rural area for professional reasons. A commonly used plot device, sure, but that’s largely where the cliches cease. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim fall into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence starts to affect the couple. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The entire film is a methodically building of scares, blending elements of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but never too gross) physical transformations, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and wraps them up in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and distant from his network of friends. He is terrified of the concept of completely losing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together avoids making either of his characters the clear bad guy.
The couple face the type of challenges that are inherent in any relationship over a long period. At their core, they continue to care for one another. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these anxieties of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism avoids being clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that single viewers have interpreted the film as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, some couples experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the finale plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply look at your significant other and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can experience at this very moment.
Together is streaming on Hulu at present.
