Consider this a dare 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 recently had its online premiere on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it might appear like conventional body horror, but inside Together resides a deep contemplation about our choices in loving one another.
A Directorial Debut Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for over ten years. Married in real life in 2017, the two stars contribute a special spark to their characters, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The story begins when Tim and Millie transition from the metropolis to the rural area for Millie’s job. A commonly used narrative setup, sure, but that’s mostly where the conventions cease. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their new home, a storm hits, and the protagonists tumble into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence begins influencing the couple. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying horror experience, weaving in elements of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and delivers them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities 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 chase only his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and distant from his support system. He is terrified of the notion of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is amplified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in Together refrains from painting Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie face the sort of issues that are inherent in most partnerships over a long period. Deep down, they still love each other. They still laugh together, offer support, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of excessive reliance and fully committing to another person, the allegory does not come across as hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that single viewers have understood the narrative as a powerful case for staying single. Conversely, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could act as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your other half and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can embark on right now.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu now.
