Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate the horror genre: Sit down with your partner and view Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its streaming debut on Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like conventional body horror, but within Together exists a intense meditation about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Debut Feature Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, partners that have been together for over ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a special spark to their characters, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The narrative commences when Tim and Millie transition from the metropolis to the countryside for her career. A familiar narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the tropes cease. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists discover an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a strange force starts to affect the pair. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The entire film is a slow burn horror experience, interspersing bits of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and presents them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his floundering music career inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and distant from his network of friends. He dreads the concept of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is amplified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie refrains from painting either of his characters the obvious villain.
The couple grapple with the kind of problems that are inherent in most partnerships over a long period. Fundamentally, they still love one another. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could act as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the ending sow anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your other half and utter, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can experience at this very moment.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
