Here's a dare for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate horror films: Settle in with your loved one and stream Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its streaming debut on Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like typical physical horror, but beneath Together resides a intense meditation about how we choose to love our partners.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, the two stars contribute a unique chemistry to their characters, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The plot starts when the couple move from the metropolis to the countryside for Millie’s job. A familiar plot device, of course, but that’s largely where the conventions cease. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the two discover an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a strange force starts to affect the duo. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying of scares, blending elements of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) body horror, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes during something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and delivers them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his floundering music career inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and far away from his support system. He dreads the notion of completely losing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in Together refrains from painting Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie confront the type of challenges that are inherent in long-term unions after ten years. At their core, they continue to care for each other. They find humor with each other, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these fears of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the metaphor never feels clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could function as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale sow anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your partner and state, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can experience at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu as of this moment.
