Consider this a test for partners in committed relationships who are fans of horror films: Settle in with your partner and stream Together. This 2025 indie hit has now made its streaming debut via Hulu. At first glance, it might appear like conventional body horror, but within Together lies a deep contemplation about our choices in loving our partners.
An Introductory Film Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together represents the debut feature-length film for director 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. Married in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a unique chemistry to their characters, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The story commences when Tim and Millie move from the urban environment to the country for Millie’s job. A commonly used narrative setup, of course, but that’s primarily where the tropes cease. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their country house, a storm hits, and the two fall into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence begins influencing the duo. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying horror experience, weaving in bits of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and presents them in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his floundering music career gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and far away from his network of friends. He fears the notion of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he never makes either of his characters the obvious villain.
The couple confront the kind of problems that arise in most partnerships after ten years. Deep down, they continue to care for one another. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism never feels clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that single viewers have interpreted the film as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your significant other and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu now.
