We present a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy the horror genre: Sit down with your significant other and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it might appear like standard physical horror, but beneath Together lies a deep meditation about how we choose to love one another.
A Debut Feature Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together is the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for over ten years. Having wed in actuality in 2017, the two stars bring a special spark to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The narrative starts when Tim and Millie move from the big city to the countryside for Millie’s job. A commonly used story element, of course, but that’s primarily where the tropes cease. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim tumble into an underground cave. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence starts to affect the couple. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The complete narrative is a slow burn fright fest, blending moments of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but never too gross) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and delivers them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his floundering music career inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and removed from his network of friends. He is terrified of the idea of completely losing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is intensified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie refrains from painting one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie grapple with the sort of issues that are inherent in long-term unions a decade in. Deep down, they continue to care for each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism does not come across as overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama work together in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
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. Meanwhile, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the ending plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and scream at your TV, 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 currently playing on Hulu now.
