Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy scary movies: Settle in with your partner and watch Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its online premiere on Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like standard body horror, but within Together lies a profound meditation about our choices in loving each other.
A Directorial Debut Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for over ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, the two stars contribute a unique chemistry to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The story commences when Millie and Tim move from the metropolis to the countryside for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical story element, of course, but that’s primarily where the conventions cease. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the protagonists fall into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity begins influencing the couple. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying of scares, interspersing elements of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but never too gross) physical transformations, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and presents them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is only the two lead actors, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and distant from his network of friends. He is terrified of the idea of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he refrains from painting Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie face the sort of issues that arise in long-term unions over a long period. Fundamentally, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these fears of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism never feels clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a powerful case for remaining unattached. On the other hand, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film actually helped them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply look at your significant other and state, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform now.
