Here's a dare for long-term couples who enjoy horror films: Get comfortable with your partner and watch Together. This 2025 indie hit just made its streaming debut via Hulu. Outwardly, it may seem like typical physical horror, but within Together lies a deep meditation about our choices in loving our partners.
A Debut Feature Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have been together for ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, the actors bring a special spark to their roles, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The plot starts when Millie and Tim relocate from the big city to the country for Millie’s job. A commonly used narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s largely where the conventions conclude. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists fall into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity takes hold of the pair. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The complete narrative is a methodically building horror experience, interspersing bits of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes amidst something horrific). The director weaves these elements together neatly and delivers them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is waning due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and distant from his support system. He fears the concept of completely losing his individual identity in another person. This fear is intensified by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in Together never makes Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie face the type of challenges that are inherent in any relationship over a long period. At their core, they continue to care for each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these concerns of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism avoids being clumsy or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama serve the other symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a powerful case for staying single. Meanwhile, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could act as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion plant anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply look at your significant other and state, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can experience right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
