Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of the horror genre: Settle in with your loved one and view Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its online premiere on the Hulu service. At first glance, it might appear like conventional body horror, but beneath Together resides a intense contemplation about the ways we decide to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for a decade. Married in reality in 2017, the actors contribute a special spark to their characters, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative starts when Tim and Millie transition from the big city to the countryside for Millie’s job. A familiar narrative setup, sure, but that’s largely where the conventions cease. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their country house, a storm hits, and the two fall into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity begins influencing the pair. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past simple connection.
The complete narrative is a methodically building fright fest, interspersing moments of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but never too gross) physical transformations, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes amidst something disturbing). The director weaves these elements together expertly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is waning due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and removed from his social circle. He fears the idea of completely losing his individual identity in another person. This fear is amplified by the fact he can’t drive and needs Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together refrains from painting either of his characters the obvious villain.
The couple confront the type of challenges that come with any relationship a decade in. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the allegory does not come across as hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that single viewers have understood the narrative as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the finale sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply turn to your other half and state, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu at present.
