We present a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of horror films: Settle in with your partner and stream Together. This 2025 indie hit just made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like typical body horror, but inside Together resides a profound contemplation about our choices in loving each other.
A Debut Feature Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together marks the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for a decade. United in marriage in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a unique chemistry to their characters, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The narrative commences when the couple move from the big city to the countryside for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s primarily where the tropes conclude. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their new home, a storm hits, and the protagonists fall into an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence starts to affect the duo. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The complete narrative is a methodically building horror experience, blending elements of fever-dream horrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and delivers them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is waning due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and distant from his social circle. He is terrified of the concept of completely losing his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he can’t drive and needs Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together never makes one partner or the other the obvious villain.
The couple confront the kind of problems that are inherent in most partnerships a decade in. Fundamentally, they continue to care for each other. They find humor with each other, offer support, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these concerns of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the symbolism never feels overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a powerful case for remaining unattached. On the other hand, some couples experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your partner and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu as of this moment.