We present a challenge for partners in committed relationships who enjoy horror films: Settle in with your loved one and stream Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its online premiere on Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like typical biological terror, but within Together lies a deep examination about our choices in loving each other.
A Debut Feature Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together is the first full-length movie 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 over ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, the two stars contribute a unique chemistry to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The narrative begins when Millie and Tim relocate from the big city to the country for Millie’s job. A familiar story element, sure, but that’s mostly where the tropes cease. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists tumble into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a strange force takes hold of the couple. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying of scares, interspersing moments of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). The director orchestrates these parts seamlessly and presents them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and removed from his social circle. He dreads the idea of totally forfeiting his sense of self in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together never makes Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
The couple confront the type of challenges that arise in any relationship a decade in. At their core, they continue to care for each other. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these fears of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to another person, the allegory never feels overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that single viewers have interpreted the film as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Conversely, some couples having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could act as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the ending inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your other half and state, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can embark on today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
