We present a test for long-term couples who appreciate scary movies: Get comfortable with your significant other and stream Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like typical body horror, but within Together resides a deep examination about our choices in loving our partners.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the two stars bring a particular energy to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The narrative commences when the couple move from the big city to the rural area for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, admittedly, but that’s largely where the tropes cease. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim tumble into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity takes hold of the duo. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The entire film is a slow burn fright fest, interspersing bits of dreamlike terrors, gross (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and delivers them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is only the two lead actors, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is suffering due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and removed from his network of friends. He dreads the concept of completely losing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he can’t drive and needs Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision is that he avoids making Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie face the type of challenges that come with most partnerships a decade in. Fundamentally, they continue to care for one another. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these fears of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to another person, the allegory does not come across as clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama work together in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that single viewers have seen the movie as a strong argument for staying single. On the other hand, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could function as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply look at your significant other and say, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can experience right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu at present.
