We present a dare for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate the horror genre: Sit down with your partner and view Together. This 2025 indie hit has now made its streaming debut on Hulu. At first glance, it might appear like conventional biological terror, but inside Together exists a deep meditation about our choices in loving one another.
A Debut Feature Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have been together for a decade. Having wed in real life in 2017, the actors infuse a special spark to their characters, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The plot begins when the couple move from the big city to the rural area for her career. A commonly used story element, sure, but that’s primarily where the conventions conclude. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim fall into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a strange force starts to affect the duo. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying horror experience, weaving in bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes amidst something horrific). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and presents them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his floundering music career gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and distant from his support system. He fears the notion of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision in Together avoids making either of his characters the clear bad guy.
The couple grapple with the sort of issues that come with any relationship over a long period. Fundamentally, they still love each other. They find humor with each other, offer support, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these concerns of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that single viewers have seen the movie as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Conversely, some couples experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could function as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the ending inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your partner and state, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can embark on today.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
