Consider this a test for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of horror films: Settle in with your significant other and stream Together. The 2025 indie hit recently had its streaming debut on Hulu. At first glance, it could look like typical biological terror, but inside Together resides a deep meditation about our choices in loving one another.
A Debut Feature Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a particular energy to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The story commences when Tim and Millie relocate from the urban environment to the rural area for her career. A commonly used narrative setup, of course, but that’s primarily where the tropes conclude. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the protagonists discover an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence begins influencing the pair. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a slow burn of scares, weaving in moments of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but never too gross) physical transformations, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). The director orchestrates these parts expertly and presents them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy 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 senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and far away from his social circle. He fears the concept of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is intensified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie refrains from painting one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Both characters confront the kind of problems that are inherent in any relationship over a long period. Deep down, they continue to care for one another. They share moments of joy, offer support, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these anxieties of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory never feels clumsy or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Conversely, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the ending inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply look at your other half and say, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can embark on today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu as of this moment.
