We present a test for partners in committed relationships who are fans of the horror genre: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its streaming debut via Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like conventional biological terror, but beneath Together resides a intense examination about how we choose to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together is the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a unique chemistry to their characters, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The story begins when Tim and Millie relocate from the metropolis to the country for her career. A familiar narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s largely where the conventions conclude. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their new home, a storm hits, and the protagonists fall into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity begins influencing the pair. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying horror experience, blending moments of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes during something horrific). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and presents them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and distant from his support system. He dreads the notion of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is amplified by the fact he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie never makes one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Both characters face the kind of problems that come with any relationship after ten years. Deep down, they continue to care for one another. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of excessive reliance and fully committing to another person, the allegory never feels hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could act as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion inspire anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your other half and say, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform now.
