Consider this a challenge for partners in committed relationships who enjoy horror films: Sit down with your partner and view Together. This 2025 indie hit has now made its online premiere via Hulu. At first glance, it might appear like conventional body horror, but beneath Together resides a intense examination about our choices in loving one another.
A Debut Feature Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, the two stars bring a particular energy to their characters, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The story commences when Millie and Tim transition from the big city to the rural area for her career. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s largely where the conventions cease. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their new home, a storm hits, and the two discover an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence takes hold of the couple. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The complete narrative is a methodically building horror experience, interspersing moments of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and removed from his social circle. He is terrified of the idea of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is amplified by the fact he can’t drive and needs Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision is that he refrains from painting Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie grapple with the sort of issues that arise in any relationship after ten years. Fundamentally, they continue to care for one another. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these fears of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism does not come across as overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Conversely, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply look at your partner and say, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can experience today.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu at present.
