Here's a dare for partners in committed relationships who are fans of horror films: Sit down with your loved one and watch Together. This 2025 indie hit has now made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it might appear like typical biological terror, but within Together resides a intense meditation about how we choose to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for over ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, the actors bring a particular energy to their characters, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The plot begins when Tim and Millie move from the big city to the countryside for Millie’s job. A familiar story element, of course, but that’s largely where the cliches end. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the two discover an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity starts to affect the couple. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying horror experience, interspersing bits of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but never too gross) physical transformations, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and presents them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and distant from his network of friends. He is terrified of the notion of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he can’t drive and relies on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he avoids making one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
The couple grapple with the type of challenges that are inherent in any relationship after ten years. Fundamentally, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these fears of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor does not come across as clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama work together in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could act as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the ending sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your partner and state, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can undertake right now.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
