Consider this a dare for partners in committed relationships who are fans of the horror genre: Get comfortable with your significant other and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it could look like standard physical horror, but within Together lies a profound contemplation about how we choose to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for ten years. Married in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a special spark to their roles, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The narrative begins when Millie and Tim relocate from the metropolis to the countryside for Millie’s job. A familiar story element, of course, but that’s largely where the tropes end. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their new home, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim tumble into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity begins influencing the duo. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying of scares, interspersing bits of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and presents them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and distant from his network of friends. He dreads the concept of totally forfeiting his sense of self in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he can’t drive and needs Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision is that he never makes Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Both characters face the sort of issues that are inherent in most partnerships over a long period. Deep down, they continue to care for one another. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that single viewers have seen the movie as a strong argument for staying single. On the other hand, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your significant other and utter, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can embark on today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu at present.
