Consider this a test for partners in committed relationships who enjoy scary movies: Get comfortable with your significant other and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. Outwardly, it may seem like typical physical horror, but within Together resides a intense examination about our choices in loving our partners.
An Introductory Film Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for a decade. Married in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a unique chemistry to their roles, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The plot begins when Tim and Millie transition from the big city to the countryside for professional reasons. A familiar narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the cliches end. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists tumble into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a strange force takes hold of the pair. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The whole movie is a slow burn of scares, interspersing moments of dreamlike terrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes during something horrific). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and delivers them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is waning due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and removed from his social circle. He fears the notion of totally forfeiting his sense of self in another person. This fear is intensified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie avoids making either of his characters the definite antagonist.
The couple face the kind of problems that are inherent in most partnerships a decade in. Fundamentally, they continue to care for each other. They find humor with each other, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these concerns of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the allegory does not come across as hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama work together symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a strong argument for staying single. Meanwhile, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film actually helped them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion sow anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your other half and say, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu now.
