We present a dare for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of horror films: Settle in with your loved one and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it could look like conventional body horror, but within Together lies a profound examination about the ways we decide to love our partners.
A Directorial Debut Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together marks the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for over ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars contribute a special spark to their characters, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The plot begins when Tim and Millie move from the big city to the rural area for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, admittedly, but that’s largely where the cliches end. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the protagonists fall into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a strange force begins influencing the duo. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying horror experience, interspersing elements of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but never too gross) body horror, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes during something disturbing). Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and delivers them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and far away from his social circle. He fears the idea of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together never makes one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
The couple confront the type of challenges that arise in any relationship over a long period. At their core, they continue to care for each other. They still laugh together, offer support, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these fears of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor avoids being clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your other half and say, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can undertake right now.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu now.
