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 recently had its streaming debut on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it may seem like conventional physical horror, but within Together lies a profound examination about our choices in loving each other.
A Debut Feature Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have been together for over ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a unique chemistry to their roles, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The plot commences when the couple relocate from the metropolis to the rural area for her career. A commonly used narrative setup, sure, but that’s mostly where the conventions conclude. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their new home, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim fall into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity begins influencing the duo. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The whole movie is a methodically building fright fest, weaving in moments of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and delivers them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and distant from his social circle. He dreads the idea of completely losing his sense of self in another person. This fear is amplified by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he refrains from painting Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
The couple confront the sort of issues that are inherent in long-term unions a decade in. Fundamentally, they continue to care for each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these anxieties of codependency and fully committing to another person, the symbolism avoids being overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a powerful case for remaining unattached. On the other hand, some couples who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could act as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the ending plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your partner and say, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can experience right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu as of this moment.
