Consider this a challenge for partners in committed relationships who enjoy horror films: Get comfortable with your loved one and view Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like conventional physical horror, but beneath Together resides a profound contemplation about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for a decade. Married in real life in 2017, the actors contribute a special spark to their roles, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The story begins when the couple move from the metropolis to the country for her career. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, sure, but that’s largely where the tropes end. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the protagonists fall into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a strange force starts to affect the pair. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a slow burn horror experience, blending bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion 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 emotional bond is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and far away from his social circle. He dreads the notion of completely losing his sense of self in another person. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision is that he avoids making Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Both characters confront the type of challenges that come with most partnerships over a long period. Deep down, they still love each other. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these concerns of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor does not come across as overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights work together symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Conversely, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could function as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply look at your other half and state, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can experience at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
