We present a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate horror films: Sit down with your loved one and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its online premiere on the Hulu service. On the surface, it could look like conventional body horror, but inside Together resides a deep contemplation about the ways we decide to love our partners.
A Debut Feature Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together represents the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, partners that have stayed together for ten years. Having wed in actuality in 2017, the two stars infuse a particular energy to their roles, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative starts when Millie and Tim transition from the urban environment to the countryside for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the cliches conclude. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their country house, a storm hits, and the two fall into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity begins influencing the duo. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past simple connection.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying fright fest, weaving in elements of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but never too gross) body horror, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and delivers them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating 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 inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and distant from his support system. He is terrified of the idea of completely losing his individual identity in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in Together refrains from painting either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters confront the kind of problems that arise in any relationship after ten years. Fundamentally, they still love one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could function as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the ending inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your other half and say, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can undertake today.
Together is streaming on Hulu as of this moment.
