Here's a dare for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate horror films: Sit down with your significant other and watch Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its online premiere on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it may seem like typical biological terror, but beneath Together resides a deep meditation about the ways we decide to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together represents the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for ten years. Married in real life in 2017, the two stars contribute a special spark to their roles, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The plot starts when the couple transition from the urban environment to the country for her career. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s primarily where the conventions conclude. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their country house, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim discover an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity takes hold of the couple. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past simple connection.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying fright fest, interspersing bits of dreamlike terrors, gross (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is suffering due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and distant from his support system. He is terrified of the concept of totally forfeiting his individual identity in another person. This fear is intensified by the reality he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie avoids making Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Both characters face the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship a decade in. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to another person, the allegory does not come across as clumsy or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. It has been said that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. Conversely, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could act as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply look at your significant other and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can undertake right now.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
