Here's a dare for partners in committed relationships who are fans of scary movies: Sit down with your significant other and watch Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its streaming debut via Hulu. At first glance, it might appear like conventional biological terror, but inside Together lies a deep meditation about how we choose to love each other.
A Debut Feature Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for over ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a particular energy to their characters, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The story commences when the couple transition from the metropolis to the rural area for Millie’s job. A commonly used story element, of course, but that’s largely where the tropes conclude. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their new home, a storm hits, and the two discover an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a strange force takes hold of the pair. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying fright fest, blending moments of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes during something horrific). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and presents them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and far away from his social circle. He fears the concept of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie never makes either of his characters the obvious villain.
The couple confront the type of challenges that come with any relationship after ten years. At their core, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these fears of codependency and fully committing to another person, the symbolism avoids being hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could function as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the ending inspire anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and feel frustration, 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 today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu as of this moment.
