Here's a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy horror films: Settle in with your significant other and stream Together. The 2025 indie hit recently had its streaming debut on Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like typical biological terror, but within Together lies a deep examination about our choices in loving one another.
A Debut Feature Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have been together for ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, the actors contribute a unique chemistry to their characters, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The story commences when the couple move from the big city to the rural area for her career. A commonly used narrative setup, sure, but that’s mostly where the conventions end. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists discover an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a strange force begins influencing the pair. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a methodically building horror experience, interspersing elements of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes during something horrific). The director skillfully blends these components seamlessly and presents them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and far away from his support system. He is terrified of the idea of completely losing his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is intensified by the fact he can’t drive and needs Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together never makes either of his characters the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie face the kind of problems that come with any relationship over a long period. Deep down, they still love each other. They still laugh together, offer support, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of codependency and fully committing to another person, the symbolism never feels hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that single viewers have understood the narrative as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Conversely, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could act as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the ending sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your significant other and say, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can undertake right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform now.
