Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate the horror genre: Get comfortable with your partner and view Together. The independent film success of 2025 has now made its streaming debut via Hulu. Outwardly, it may seem like standard body horror, but inside Together exists a deep meditation about the ways we decide to love each other.
An Introductory Film Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together represents the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for ten years. Married in reality in 2017, the actors infuse a unique chemistry to their roles, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The plot commences when Tim and Millie 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 cliches conclude. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the two tumble into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity starts to affect the pair. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a methodically building horror experience, interspersing elements of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes amidst something horrific). The director skillfully blends these components seamlessly and wraps them up in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his floundering music career gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and far away from his network of friends. He is terrified of the notion of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in another person. This fear is amplified by the reality he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie avoids making either of his characters the obvious villain.
The couple grapple with the kind of problems that are inherent in long-term unions over a long period. Fundamentally, they still love each other. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these anxieties of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism never feels hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. On the other hand, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could act as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the finale plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply look at your other half and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can experience at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu as of this moment.
