Here's a challenge for partners in committed relationships who are fans of horror films: Sit down with your partner and stream Together. The 2025 indie hit recently had its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. On the surface, it may seem like conventional physical horror, but inside Together exists a deep examination about our choices in loving one another.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together marks the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for a decade. Married in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a special spark to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The story starts when the couple move from the big city to the countryside for professional reasons. A familiar plot device, sure, but that’s primarily where the cliches conclude. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the protagonists fall into an underground cave. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity starts to affect the duo. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past simple connection.
The whole movie is a slow burn of scares, interspersing elements of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes during something horrific). Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and delivers them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is only the two lead actors, and they deftly portray countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and removed from his network of friends. He fears the concept of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie never makes Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
The couple face the kind of problems that arise in any relationship over a long period. Fundamentally, they still love one another. They still laugh together, offer support, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these anxieties of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism avoids being clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama work together in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, some couples experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could act as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the finale sow anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your significant other and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can embark on today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu at present.
