Consider this a test for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate horror films: Get comfortable with your partner and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its online premiere on the Hulu service. On the surface, it could look like conventional physical horror, but within Together lies a profound contemplation about how we choose to love our partners.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a unique chemistry to their characters, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The story starts when Tim and Millie move from the metropolis to the rural area for her career. A familiar narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s largely where the cliches end. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the two fall into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence takes hold of the pair. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The whole movie is a methodically building fright fest, interspersing bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but never too gross) body horror, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and presents them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and far away from his network of friends. He dreads the idea of totally forfeiting his individual identity in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together refrains from painting one partner or the other the obvious villain.
The couple confront the sort of issues that are inherent in most partnerships after ten years. Deep down, they still love one another. They share moments of joy, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these fears of codependency and fully committing to another person, the metaphor does not come across as overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a powerful case for remaining unattached. On the other hand, some couples having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could act as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the finale inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply look at your significant other and state, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can embark on today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu now.
