Consider this a test for partners in committed relationships who are fans of horror films: Get comfortable with your loved one and view Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its online premiere on Hulu. At first glance, it might appear like standard body horror, but beneath Together exists a deep contemplation about the ways we decide to love one another.
A Debut Feature Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have remained a couple for ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, the actors infuse a particular energy to their roles, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The plot commences when Millie and Tim move from the metropolis to the country for Millie’s job. A familiar plot device, of course, but that’s primarily where the cliches cease. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their new home, a storm hits, and the two tumble into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity takes hold of the couple. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying horror experience, blending elements of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes during something disturbing). Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and presents them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and far away from his social circle. He dreads the idea of totally forfeiting his individual identity in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie avoids making either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie face the type of challenges that come with most partnerships after ten years. At their core, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these concerns of codependency and totally devoting oneself to another person, the metaphor avoids being clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Conversely, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could function as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your significant other and say, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can undertake right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu as of this moment.
