Here's a test for partners in committed relationships who enjoy scary movies: Get comfortable with your partner and watch Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like conventional physical horror, but within Together exists a deep contemplation about how we choose to love each other.
An Introductory Film Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for over ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a unique chemistry to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The story commences when the couple relocate from the big city to the countryside for professional reasons. A familiar narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the conventions conclude. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists tumble into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence begins influencing the duo. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The complete narrative is a slow burn of scares, weaving in moments of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but never too gross) body horror, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his floundering music career gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and removed from his support system. He dreads the idea of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie avoids making one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Both characters confront the sort of issues that arise in most partnerships after ten years. Fundamentally, they continue to care for each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor never feels hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could act as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your significant other and say, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform at present.
