We present a test for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate scary movies: Settle in with your loved one and stream Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its streaming debut via Hulu. At first glance, it could look like conventional biological terror, but inside Together lies a profound meditation about how we choose to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for a decade. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a special spark to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The story commences when Millie and Tim transition from the big city to the countryside for professional reasons. A commonly used story element, of course, but that’s primarily where the cliches end. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the protagonists discover an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a strange force begins influencing the duo. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying of scares, interspersing bits of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes during something horrific). Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and delivers them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and distant from his social circle. He fears the notion of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is intensified by the fact he can’t drive and relies on Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie avoids making one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that are inherent in most partnerships over a long period. Fundamentally, they continue to care for each other. They share moments of joy, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a perfect parallel 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 left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, some couples having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could act as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply turn to your significant other and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can experience today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu as of this moment.
