Consider this a dare for partners in committed relationships who appreciate horror films: Get comfortable with your loved one and view Together. The 2025 indie hit recently had its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like standard physical horror, but beneath Together lies a profound contemplation about how we choose to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together represents the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for over ten years. Married in real life in 2017, the two stars infuse a particular energy to their characters, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The story begins when the couple transition from the urban environment to the countryside for Millie’s job. A commonly used story element, admittedly, but that’s largely where the conventions conclude. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the protagonists fall into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity takes hold of the pair. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying of scares, weaving in elements of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but never too gross) body horror, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes during something disturbing). The director orchestrates these parts expertly and presents them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and far away from his support system. He fears the concept of completely losing his sense of self in another person. This fear is intensified by the fact he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he avoids making one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Both characters confront the type of challenges that come with most partnerships over a long period. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They share moments of joy, offer support, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these fears of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the metaphor avoids being hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that single viewers have interpreted the film as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the ending inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your other half and state, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can embark on right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform at present.
