We present a dare for partners in committed relationships who appreciate horror films: Sit down with your partner and view Together. The 2025 indie hit recently had its online premiere on the Hulu service. At first glance, it might appear like typical body horror, but within Together resides a profound contemplation about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Debut Feature Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together marks the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have been together for a decade. Having wed in reality in 2017, the two stars contribute a unique chemistry to their characters, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The story commences when Millie and Tim relocate from the urban environment to the rural area for professional reasons. A familiar plot device, of course, but that’s largely where the tropes cease. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their country house, a storm hits, and the two fall into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity takes hold of the duo. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The entire film is a methodically building of scares, weaving in bits of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes during something horrific). The director skillfully blends these components neatly and presents them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and distant from his support system. He fears the concept of totally forfeiting his individual identity in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he can’t drive and needs Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie never makes either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters face the sort of issues that are inherent in most partnerships over a long period. Fundamentally, they continue to care for each other. They share moments of joy, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor never feels overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a strong argument for staying single. Meanwhile, some couples experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could function as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your other half and say, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can experience at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
