We present a challenge for partners in committed relationships who are fans of the horror genre: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its streaming debut on Hulu. At first glance, it could look like typical body horror, but beneath Together lies a profound examination about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together is the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a special spark to their characters, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The story begins when Tim and Millie relocate from the urban environment to the rural area for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical story element, admittedly, 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.
An Otherworldly Trigger
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 strange force takes hold of the duo. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a methodically building fright fest, interspersing elements of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and delivers them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and removed from his support system. He fears the notion of completely losing his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together avoids making one partner or the other the obvious villain.
The couple grapple with the type of challenges that are inherent in most partnerships a decade in. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these concerns of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor never feels clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Conversely, certain partners having disagreements found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could act as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the ending sow anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your other half and utter, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can undertake today.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
