Consider this a test for partners in committed relationships who are fans of the horror genre: Get comfortable with your loved one and watch Together. This 2025 indie hit has now made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. At first glance, it may seem like standard biological terror, but inside Together exists a profound meditation about the ways we decide to love our partners.
A Debut Feature Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for a decade. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the actors infuse a unique chemistry to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The narrative starts when the couple transition from the urban environment to the countryside for professional reasons. A commonly used plot device, of course, but that’s primarily where the cliches cease. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim tumble into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence takes hold of the couple. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past simple connection.
The complete narrative is a methodically building horror experience, blending moments of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). The director weaves these elements together seamlessly and delivers them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and distant from his support system. He fears the idea of completely losing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is intensified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie refrains from painting Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie grapple with the type of challenges that are inherent in any relationship a decade in. At their core, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these anxieties of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor never feels hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights work together in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a powerful case for staying single. Meanwhile, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could function as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending plant anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your partner and state, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can undertake today.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu now.
