Here's a test for partners in committed relationships who appreciate scary movies: Get comfortable with your partner and stream Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it may seem like standard biological terror, but inside Together lies a profound examination about the ways we decide to love our partners.
A Directorial Debut Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together marks the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for a decade. United in marriage in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a particular energy to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The story commences when the couple relocate from the urban environment to the country for her career. A somewhat stereotypical story element, admittedly, but that’s largely where the tropes cease. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim discover an underground cave. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity takes hold of the couple. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a methodically building fright fest, weaving in bits of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but tastefully done) body horror, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and wraps them up in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is only the two lead actors, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is suffering due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and far away from his social circle. He dreads the concept of completely losing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is intensified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie never makes one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that are inherent in any relationship after ten years. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these anxieties of codependency and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the allegory does not come across as hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama serve the other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a strong argument for staying single. Conversely, some couples having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could function as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your significant other and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can experience right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu now.
