We present a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of the horror genre: Get comfortable with your loved one and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. On the surface, it could look like typical body horror, but within Together lies a profound examination about how we choose to love one another.
A Debut Feature Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, the actors bring a particular energy to their characters, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The plot begins when the couple move from the metropolis to the country for her career. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, admittedly, but that’s largely where the cliches cease. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim fall into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity begins influencing the duo. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The entire film is a slow burn of scares, weaving in bits of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes during something grotesque). Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and presents them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and removed from his social circle. He fears the concept of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is amplified by the reality he can’t drive and needs Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie never makes either of his characters the obvious villain.
Both characters face the sort of issues that arise in any relationship over a long period. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the metaphor does not come across as overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that single viewers have understood the narrative as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could function as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your partner and state, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can embark on today.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu at present.
