Here's a test for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy the horror genre: Settle in with your partner and stream Together. This 2025 indie hit has now made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like conventional body horror, but beneath Together resides a intense meditation about our choices in loving one another.
An Introductory Film Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for over ten years. Married in reality in 2017, the two stars bring 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 country for her career. A somewhat stereotypical story element, sure, but that’s largely where the cliches cease. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their new home, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim discover an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a strange force takes hold of the pair. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a methodically building horror experience, weaving in bits of dreamlike terrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes during something horrific). The director skillfully blends these components seamlessly and delivers them in a consistently growing 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. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and far away from his social circle. He is terrified of the notion of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in another person. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he refrains from painting one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
The couple confront the kind of problems that come with most partnerships over a long period. At their core, they continue to care for one another. They still laugh together, offer support, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these fears of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to another person, the allegory never feels hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could act as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your significant other and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can experience right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu as of this moment.
