We present a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of scary movies: Settle in with your loved one and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit recently had its online premiere on the Hulu service. On the surface, it may seem like typical biological terror, but beneath Together exists a profound examination about our choices in loving our partners.
An Introductory Film Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for over ten years. Having wed in actuality in 2017, the actors infuse a special spark to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The story commences when the couple relocate from the big city to the rural area for her career. A commonly used story element, sure, but that’s mostly where the tropes cease. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the protagonists fall into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity starts to affect the duo. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a methodically building horror experience, blending bits of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). The director weaves these elements together expertly and presents them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and removed from his support system. He fears the idea of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision is that he refrains from painting either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that come with any relationship over a long period. Fundamentally, they continue to care for one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these fears of excessive reliance and fully committing to another person, the symbolism avoids being hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that single viewers have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. On the other hand, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could act as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply look at your significant other and utter, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can experience today.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
