Consider this a challenge for long-term couples who are fans of horror films: Sit down with your partner and view Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its streaming debut via Hulu. At first glance, it could look like typical body horror, but beneath Together resides a deep examination about our choices in loving our partners.
A Debut Feature Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for a decade. Having wed in real life in 2017, the actors bring a special spark to their roles, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The story starts when the couple move from the metropolis to the countryside for professional reasons. A commonly used story element, of course, but that’s mostly where the conventions conclude. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the two tumble into an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity begins influencing the duo. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The entire film is a methodically building fright fest, weaving in bits of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and delivers them in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is only the two lead actors, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and distant from his network of friends. He fears the concept of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he can’t drive and relies on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie never makes either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie face the type of challenges that arise in any relationship after ten years. Fundamentally, they continue to care for each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to another person, the symbolism does not come across as overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that single viewers have seen the movie as a compelling reason for staying single. Meanwhile, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply look at your other half and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can undertake right now.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
