Here's a test for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate scary movies: Sit down with your loved one and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like typical physical horror, but within Together resides a intense contemplation about how we choose to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together represents the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for ten years. Married in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a special spark to their characters, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The narrative commences when Tim and Millie relocate from the metropolis to the countryside for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, sure, but that’s mostly where the cliches end. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the protagonists fall into an underground cave. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity starts to affect the pair. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a slow burn of scares, weaving in elements of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but never too gross) body horror, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes during something horrific). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and delivers them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and far away from his network of friends. He fears the idea of completely losing his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he refrains from painting either of his characters the definite antagonist.
The couple grapple with the sort of issues that come with long-term unions a decade in. Fundamentally, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the metaphor does not come across as hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply turn to your partner and state, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu now.
