Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of scary movies: Get comfortable with your loved one and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its streaming debut via Hulu. At first glance, it could look like typical biological terror, but inside Together lies a deep meditation about the ways we decide to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for a decade. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the two stars bring a unique chemistry to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The story starts when Millie and Tim relocate from the big city to the countryside for professional reasons. A familiar story element, of course, but that’s primarily where the cliches cease. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim fall into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a strange force takes hold of the duo. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a methodically building of scares, blending moments of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes amidst something horrific). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and delivers them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and distant from his network of friends. He fears the concept of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he never makes Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie confront the kind of problems that are inherent in any relationship after ten years. Deep down, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these concerns of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the allegory does not come across as hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. It has been said that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, some couples having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could function as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion sow anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your partner and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can embark on right now.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu now.
