Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of horror films: Sit down with your loved one and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit recently had its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it could look like conventional physical horror, but beneath Together resides a deep meditation about our choices in loving our partners.
A Debut Feature Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a special spark to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The story begins when Millie and Tim relocate from the metropolis to the countryside for professional reasons. A familiar narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the conventions cease. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their country house, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim tumble into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity begins influencing the pair. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past simple connection.
The whole movie is a methodically building fright fest, blending bits of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but never too gross) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes during something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and delivers them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and distant from his social circle. He fears the concept of totally forfeiting his sense of self in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he refrains from painting either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Both characters grapple with the kind of problems that arise in any relationship a decade in. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism never feels overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that single viewers have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for staying single. Conversely, some couples having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could act as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the finale plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply look at your partner and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can embark on right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
