Here's a test for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate the horror genre: Sit down with your significant other and watch Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its online premiere on Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like typical biological terror, but within Together lies a intense meditation about the ways we decide to love one another.
An Introductory Film Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for over ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the actors bring a particular energy to their characters, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The narrative begins when the couple transition from the urban environment to the country for her career. A somewhat stereotypical story element, sure, but that’s largely where the conventions cease. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the two tumble into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity takes hold of the couple. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying horror experience, blending bits of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes during something disturbing). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and presents them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is suffering due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and far away from his support system. He is terrified of the notion of completely losing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision in Together avoids making either of his characters the definite antagonist.
The couple face the sort of issues that come with long-term unions over a long period. At their core, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these fears of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the metaphor does not come across as clumsy or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a strong argument for remaining unattached. On the other hand, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could function as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the finale plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself 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”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can embark on right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu now.
