Here's a dare for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of scary movies: Sit down with your partner and view Together. The 2025 indie hit recently had its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like standard body horror, but within Together exists a profound contemplation about the ways we decide to love each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for ten years. Married in reality in 2017, the two stars infuse a particular energy to their roles, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The narrative commences when Tim and Millie relocate from the big city to the rural area for professional reasons. A familiar plot device, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the conventions conclude. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their country house, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim tumble into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a strange force takes hold of the pair. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying of scares, interspersing elements of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes during something horrific). Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is suffering due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and far away from his support system. He fears the notion of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together avoids making either of his characters the clear bad guy.
The couple confront the sort of issues that come with long-term unions over a long period. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They find humor with each other, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these anxieties of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the allegory never feels hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a strong argument for staying single. Meanwhile, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending inspire 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 other half and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can undertake today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu at present.
