Consider this a challenge for long-term couples who appreciate scary movies: Sit down with your partner and view Together. This 2025 indie hit has now made its online premiere via Hulu. On the surface, it could look like conventional biological terror, but within Together exists a profound examination about how we choose to love our partners.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for a decade. United in marriage in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a special spark to their characters, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The story starts when the couple move from the metropolis to the countryside for Millie’s job. A familiar narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the cliches conclude. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim discover an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity begins influencing the pair. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past simple connection.
The whole movie is a methodically building of scares, interspersing moments of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and presents them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they masterfully render countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and distant from his social circle. He dreads the idea of totally forfeiting his individual identity in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together refrains from painting either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie face the type of challenges that come with any relationship after ten years. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, offer support, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these concerns of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the metaphor does not come across as hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that single viewers have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Conversely, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could function as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your partner and utter, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
