We present a dare for long-term couples who are fans of scary movies: Get comfortable with your significant other and view Together. This 2025 indie hit just made its streaming debut on Hulu. At first glance, it could look like typical body horror, but within Together resides a deep examination about how we choose to love each other.
An Introductory Film Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have been together for ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the actors infuse a special spark to their characters, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The plot starts when Tim and Millie transition from the urban environment to the rural area for professional reasons. A familiar story element, sure, but that’s mostly where the tropes end. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim discover an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a strange force takes hold of the duo. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a slow burn fright fest, blending elements of fever-dream horrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is only the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and distant from his social circle. He fears the concept of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is intensified by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie refrains from painting Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie face the sort of issues that come with any relationship a decade in. At their core, they have affection for each other. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these concerns of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor never feels clumsy or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that single viewers have understood the narrative as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could act as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the ending inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply turn to your significant other and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can undertake today.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
