We present a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate horror films: Get comfortable with your partner and view Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its streaming debut via Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like conventional physical horror, but within Together exists a profound meditation about our choices in loving each other.
An Introductory Film Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for over ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the actors bring a special spark to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative commences when Tim and Millie relocate from the urban environment to the country for her career. A commonly used plot device, of course, but that’s largely where the tropes end. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim tumble into an underground cave. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence starts to affect the couple. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a slow burn horror experience, interspersing elements of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes amidst something horrific). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and delivers them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is waning due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and far away from his support system. He is terrified of the idea of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he can’t drive and needs Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision is that he avoids making either of his characters the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie face the kind of problems that are inherent in most partnerships after ten years. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They find humor with each other, offer support, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor avoids being clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights work together symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could act as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the finale inspire anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your other half and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform at present.
