Here's a dare for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate scary movies: Get comfortable with your significant other and view Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. At first glance, it could look like typical physical horror, but inside Together exists a profound meditation about our choices in loving each other.
A Debut Feature Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for over ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, the actors bring a unique chemistry to their roles, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The plot begins when Millie and Tim relocate from the big city to the rural area for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the tropes end. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their new home, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim tumble into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence starts to affect the duo. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a methodically building horror experience, interspersing moments of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and presents them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his floundering music career inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and removed from his social circle. He is terrified of the idea of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in another person. This fear is amplified by the fact he can’t drive and needs Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together refrains from painting Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie grapple with the sort of issues that are inherent in long-term unions after ten years. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the metaphor does not come across as overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal work together symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Conversely, certain partners experiencing tension 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 think about commitment. Will the finale plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply look at your partner and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can experience at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu now.
