We present a test for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of the horror genre: Sit down with your significant other and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. At first glance, it may seem like typical body horror, but beneath Together resides a profound contemplation about the ways we decide to love our partners.
A Debut Feature Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for ten years. Married in reality in 2017, the actors infuse a particular energy to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The plot begins when Millie and Tim transition from the urban environment to the rural area for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, sure, but that’s primarily where the conventions cease. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the protagonists discover an underground cave. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a strange force takes hold of the pair. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying fright fest, interspersing bits of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes during something disturbing). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and delivers them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and far away from his network of friends. He dreads the concept of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie refrains from painting either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie face the type of challenges that come with long-term unions over a long period. Deep down, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of excessive reliance and fully committing to another person, the symbolism avoids being overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could act as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion inspire anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your partner and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can embark on right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
