We present a challenge for partners in committed relationships who appreciate the horror genre: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. This 2025 indie hit just made its online premiere on the Hulu service. On the surface, it could look like standard physical horror, but within Together lies a profound examination about our choices in loving one another.
An Introductory Film Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together is the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for over ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, the two stars infuse a particular energy to their roles, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The plot starts when Tim and Millie move from the metropolis to the rural area for her career. A somewhat stereotypical story element, of course, but that’s mostly where the conventions conclude. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim discover an underground cave. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a strange force takes hold of the duo. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a slow burn fright fest, interspersing bits of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes during something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and wraps them up in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is only the two lead actors, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his floundering music career inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and far away from his social circle. He is terrified of the idea of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he refrains from painting one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
The couple confront the sort of issues that arise in long-term unions after ten years. Deep down, they continue to care for one another. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the allegory never feels overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have seen the movie as a strong argument for staying single. On the other hand, certain partners having disagreements found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your significant other and state, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can embark on right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
