Consider this a challenge for partners in committed relationships who are fans of scary movies: Settle in with your partner and stream Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its online premiere on the Hulu service. At first glance, it might appear like standard physical horror, but within Together exists a intense meditation about our choices in loving one another.
An Introductory Film Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for ten years. Married in real life in 2017, the two stars bring a unique chemistry to their roles, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The plot starts when Tim and Millie relocate from the big city to the countryside for her career. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, sure, but that’s largely where the cliches cease. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their country house, a storm hits, and the two discover an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a strange force begins influencing the couple. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying of scares, weaving in moments of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and far away from his network of friends. He dreads the idea of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in Together refrains from painting Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Both characters confront the sort of issues that come with long-term unions after ten years. Deep down, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these concerns of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor avoids being hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a powerful case for staying single. Meanwhile, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could function as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your other half and say, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
