Consider this a dare for long-term couples who are fans of the horror genre: Settle in with your loved one and watch Together. This 2025 indie hit has now made its online premiere on Hulu. On the surface, it could look like typical biological terror, but within Together resides a deep meditation about the ways we decide to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together represents the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the two stars contribute a special spark to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The narrative begins when Tim and Millie relocate from the metropolis to the country for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, sure, but that’s largely where the cliches conclude. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim fall into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity takes hold of the duo. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying horror experience, weaving in elements of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but never too gross) body horror, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). The director skillfully blends these components neatly and presents them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his floundering music career inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and distant from his social circle. He is terrified of the concept of totally forfeiting his sense of self in his partner. This fear is intensified by the fact he can’t drive and relies on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he avoids making one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
The couple face the type of challenges that arise in any relationship after ten years. Deep down, they continue to care for each other. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the metaphor avoids being overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal work together symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. It has been said that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a strong argument for staying single. On the other hand, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could function as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the finale inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply look at your partner and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can experience at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
