Here's a dare for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate the horror genre: Settle in with your loved one and view Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its streaming debut on the Hulu service. At first glance, it might appear like conventional body horror, but within Together resides a profound examination about our choices in loving one another.
An Introductory Film Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together is the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, 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 unique chemistry to their roles, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative starts when the couple transition 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 transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their country house, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim fall into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a strange force starts to affect the duo. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a slow burn fright fest, weaving in moments of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes during something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and delivers them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and removed from his social circle. He fears the idea of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he can’t drive and needs Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he refrains from painting either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie grapple with the type of challenges that come with most partnerships over a long period. Fundamentally, they still love each other. They find humor with each other, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism does not come across as clumsy or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights work together symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a strong argument for staying single. Conversely, some couples having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply look at your other half and state, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu as of this moment.
