We present a dare for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate horror films: Get comfortable with your significant other and stream Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. At first glance, it could look like conventional body horror, but within Together lies a intense examination about our choices in loving our partners.
A Debut Feature Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have been together for a decade. Having wed in reality in 2017, the two stars infuse a special spark to their roles, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The plot begins when the couple move from the metropolis to the countryside for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical story element, sure, but that’s mostly where the conventions end. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim fall into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence takes hold of the pair. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying of scares, interspersing elements of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) body horror, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and delivers them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is suffering due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and far away from his support system. He is terrified of the idea of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in Together avoids making Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie face the type of challenges that come with any relationship after ten years. At their core, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor never feels clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that single viewers have understood the narrative as a strong argument for remaining unattached. On the other hand, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could function as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the ending inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your significant other and state, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is streaming on Hulu at present.
