Here's a dare for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of the horror genre: Sit down with your loved one and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 has now made its streaming debut via Hulu. Outwardly, it may seem like standard biological terror, but beneath Together exists a profound contemplation about the ways we decide to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for over ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, the two stars bring a unique chemistry to their roles, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The story begins when Millie and Tim move from the metropolis to the countryside for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, sure, but that’s mostly where the tropes conclude. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the two fall into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a strange force begins influencing the pair. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a slow burn of scares, interspersing bits of dreamlike terrors, gross (but tastefully done) body horror, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and delivers them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and distant from his social circle. He dreads the notion of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is intensified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision in Together refrains from painting either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that come with any relationship over a long period. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these fears of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to another person, the allegory avoids being hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a strong argument for staying single. On the other hand, some couples having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the ending plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply look at your partner and utter, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can embark on today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu now.
