We present a test for partners in committed relationships who appreciate horror films: Sit down with your significant other and stream Together. This 2025 indie hit has now made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like typical biological terror, but within Together exists a intense meditation about our choices in loving our partners.
A Debut Feature Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have been together for ten years. Married in real life in 2017, the actors infuse a unique chemistry to their roles, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The plot begins when Tim and Millie relocate from the metropolis to the countryside for her career. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, of course, but that’s largely where the tropes conclude. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists discover an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity starts to affect the couple. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The whole movie is a methodically building of scares, weaving in elements of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and presents them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and distant from his network of friends. He dreads the concept of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together refrains from painting Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Both characters face the kind of problems that arise in any relationship over a long period. Deep down, they continue to care for each other. They share moments of joy, offer support, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these fears of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the metaphor avoids being overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal work together symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Conversely, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply look at your other half and state, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can embark on right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu at present.
