Here's a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of scary movies: Settle in with your significant other and stream Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its online premiere via Hulu. At first glance, it could look like typical biological terror, but beneath Together resides a deep examination about how we choose to love each other.
An Introductory Film Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for over ten years. Married in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a particular energy to their roles, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The plot starts when Millie and Tim move from the metropolis to the country for Millie’s job. A commonly used plot device, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the cliches cease. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the two tumble into an underground cave. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity begins influencing the pair. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying fright fest, interspersing moments of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). The director orchestrates these parts neatly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and far away from his social circle. He fears the concept of completely losing his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is amplified by the fact he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision is that he avoids making one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that come with long-term unions over a long period. At their core, they continue to care for one another. They still laugh together, offer support, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these concerns of codependency and totally devoting oneself to another person, the symbolism does not come across as clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights serve the other symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a strong argument for staying single. Meanwhile, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could act as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply look at your partner and say, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can experience at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
