Consider this a dare for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate horror films: Settle in with your loved one and stream Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it may seem like standard biological terror, but within Together lies a deep contemplation about our choices in loving our partners.
A Debut Feature Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for over ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, the actors bring a unique chemistry to their characters, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The narrative commences when the couple move from the big city to the rural area for professional reasons. A familiar story element, sure, but that’s largely where the cliches cease. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the two fall into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence begins influencing the duo. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a slow burn horror experience, blending bits of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but never too gross) physical transformations, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes during something horrific). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is waning due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his floundering music career inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and far away from his support system. He fears the concept of totally forfeiting his sense of self in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision is that he avoids making one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Both characters face the kind of problems that come with any relationship after ten years. 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 relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these concerns of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory never feels hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a compelling reason for staying single. Conversely, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could function as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your significant other and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can experience at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu as of this moment.
