Consider this a test for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy scary movies: Sit down with your significant other and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like typical physical horror, but beneath Together exists a deep contemplation about how we choose to love one another.
An Introductory Film Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together marks the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have remained a couple for over ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a unique chemistry to their roles, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The plot begins when the couple move from the big city to the countryside for her career. A commonly used plot device, sure, but that’s mostly where the tropes cease. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the two discover an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a strange force starts to affect the couple. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past simple connection.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying of scares, interspersing moments of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes amidst something horrific). Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and delivers them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is only the two lead actors, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and removed from his social circle. He dreads the idea of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is intensified by the fact he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie avoids making Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that arise in any relationship a decade in. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these concerns of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism never feels overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for staying single. On the other hand, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply look at your other half and state, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can embark on right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu as of this moment.
