Here's a dare for long-term couples who are fans of scary movies: Sit down with your loved one and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit recently had its online premiere on Hulu. At first glance, it might appear like standard biological terror, but within Together lies a deep meditation about how we choose to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for over ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a particular energy to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The narrative starts when the couple move from the urban environment to the rural area for Millie’s job. A familiar narrative setup, sure, but that’s largely where the tropes cease. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim discover an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence begins influencing the couple. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying of scares, weaving in bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and presents them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is only the two lead actors, and they deftly portray countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his floundering music career gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and removed from his social circle. He fears the concept of completely losing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together never makes one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Both characters confront the type of challenges that come with most partnerships over a long period. Deep down, they still love each other. They find humor with each other, offer support, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these concerns of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights work together in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. It has been said that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Conversely, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending plant anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your partner and say, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can experience today.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu now.
