Consider this a challenge for partners in committed relationships who are fans of horror films: Settle in with your significant other and stream Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its streaming debut on Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like typical biological terror, but within Together exists a profound examination about our choices in loving each other.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together marks the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for a decade. Having wed in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a particular energy to their roles, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative starts when Tim and Millie relocate from the urban environment to the country for Millie’s job. A familiar narrative setup, sure, but that’s primarily where the tropes conclude. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim tumble into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a strange force begins influencing the couple. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The entire film is a methodically building horror experience, weaving in elements of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but tastefully done) body horror, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and delivers them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and removed from his support system. He fears the concept of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is amplified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in Together refrains from painting either of his characters the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie face the type of challenges that come with most partnerships a decade in. At their core, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the metaphor never feels hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama work together symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that single viewers have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
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 finale plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply look at your other half and state, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu at present.
