We present a challenge for long-term couples who are fans of horror films: Sit down with your loved one and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its streaming debut on Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like conventional biological terror, but beneath Together exists a deep contemplation about how we choose to love one another.
A Debut Feature Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for over ten years. Married in reality in 2017, the actors contribute a special spark to their characters, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The plot commences when Millie and Tim transition from the big city to the countryside for Millie’s job. A familiar plot device, of course, but that’s mostly where the conventions end. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the two fall into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence starts to affect the couple. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The entire film is a methodically building horror experience, blending bits of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes amidst something disturbing). The director weaves these elements together neatly and delivers them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and removed from his network of friends. He is terrified of the notion of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in another person. This fear is intensified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie avoids making either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie confront the type of challenges that arise in most partnerships over a long period. Fundamentally, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism avoids being hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights work together in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a compelling reason for staying single. Meanwhile, some couples having disagreements found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could act as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the finale inspire anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your partner and say, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can experience at this very moment.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu at present.
