We present a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of horror films: Get comfortable with your partner and view Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its online premiere on Hulu. On the surface, it could look like standard biological terror, but beneath Together lies a profound examination about the ways we decide to love one another.
An Introductory Film Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a special spark to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The story begins when the couple relocate from the big city to the countryside for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, of course, but that’s mostly where the conventions end. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists tumble into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence starts to affect the pair. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a slow burn horror experience, blending moments of dreamlike terrors, gross (but never too gross) body horror, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes during something horrific). The director skillfully blends these components neatly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and removed from his support system. He fears the concept of totally forfeiting his sense of self in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie avoids making one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
The couple confront the kind of problems that arise in long-term unions after ten years. At their core, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these anxieties of codependency and fully committing to another person, the symbolism avoids being clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama work together symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. It has been said that single viewers have interpreted the film as a powerful case for staying single. Conversely, some couples having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response 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 partner and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can experience right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu as of this moment.
