We present a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate the horror genre: Sit down with your significant other and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its streaming debut via Hulu. At first glance, it could look like standard biological terror, but within Together lies a deep examination about the ways we decide to love each other.
An Introductory Film Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together represents the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for over ten years. Having wed in actuality in 2017, the actors infuse a unique chemistry to their roles, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The narrative starts when Millie and Tim move from the urban environment to the rural area for her career. A commonly used story element, sure, but that’s primarily where the cliches cease. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their country house, a storm hits, and the protagonists fall into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity begins influencing the couple. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The whole movie is a slow burn fright fest, weaving in bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but never too gross) body horror, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes during something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is suffering due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and far away from his support system. He is terrified of the idea of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he can’t drive and needs Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie refrains from painting Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
The couple face the sort of issues that come with most partnerships over a long period. At their core, they continue to care for each other. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these concerns of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to another person, the allegory avoids being clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Conversely, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could function as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your significant other and say, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can experience today.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu now.
