We present a dare for partners in committed relationships who are fans of scary movies: Settle in with your loved one and view Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its streaming debut via Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like conventional biological terror, but within Together resides a profound contemplation about our choices in loving one another.
A Directorial Debut Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together represents the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It stars 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 actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a unique chemistry to their roles, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The plot starts when Tim and Millie relocate from the urban environment to the rural area for Millie’s job. A familiar story element, of course, but that’s mostly where the tropes conclude. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the two discover an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a strange force starts to affect the duo. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a slow burn horror experience, weaving in moments of dreamlike terrors, gross (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and presents them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and far away from his support system. He is terrified of the idea of completely losing his sense of self in another person. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision is that he refrains from painting one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie grapple with the kind of problems that arise in any relationship after ten years. Deep down, they still love one another. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these concerns of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the allegory does not come across as hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that single viewers have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for staying single. Conversely, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could act as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the ending sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply look at your other half and say, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can embark on today.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu now.
