We present a challenge for long-term couples who appreciate scary movies: Settle in with your partner and view Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its streaming debut via Hulu. At first glance, it could look like conventional biological terror, but inside Together exists a profound examination about our choices in loving one another.
An Introductory Film Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for over ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a particular energy to their characters, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The story commences when the couple relocate from the urban environment to the country for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, of course, but that’s largely where the conventions conclude. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the two discover an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a strange force starts to affect the couple. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a methodically building horror experience, interspersing elements of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes during something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and wraps them up in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and far away from his network of friends. He is terrified of the idea of completely losing his individual identity in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he refrains from painting either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie face the type of challenges that come with any relationship after ten years. At their core, they have affection for each other. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of codependency and fully committing to another person, the metaphor does not come across as clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
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 interpreted the film as a compelling reason for staying single. Meanwhile, some couples having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the finale sow anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply turn to your other half and state, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu at present.
