We present a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of the horror genre: Settle in with your significant other and view Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its online premiere via Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like typical body horror, but inside Together exists a profound meditation about the ways we decide to love our partners.
A Directorial Debut Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together represents the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for over ten years. Married in real life in 2017, the two stars infuse a particular energy to their characters, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The plot begins when Tim and Millie transition from the urban environment to the rural area for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical story element, of course, but that’s primarily where the cliches end. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their new home, a storm hits, and the two tumble into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a strange force starts to affect the couple. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying of scares, blending moments of fever-dream horrors, gross (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and wraps them up in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and far away from his support system. He is terrified of the notion of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he can’t drive and relies on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together never makes Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie confront the sort of issues that are inherent in long-term unions over a long period. Fundamentally, they continue to care for each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of excessive reliance and fully committing to another person, the metaphor never feels overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights serve the other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. It has been said that single viewers have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for staying single. Meanwhile, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the ending inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply look at your significant other and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can undertake right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform at present.
