We present a dare for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate the horror genre: Sit down with your significant other and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. On the surface, it might appear like conventional physical horror, but inside Together lies a intense examination about the ways we decide to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for over ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars bring a special spark to their characters, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The narrative commences when Millie and Tim move from the big city to the rural area for professional reasons. A commonly used story element, sure, but that’s largely where the tropes conclude. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim fall into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a strange force begins influencing the couple. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a slow burn of scares, blending moments of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but never too gross) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). The director orchestrates these parts seamlessly and presents them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is waning due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and distant from his network of friends. He fears the notion of totally forfeiting his sense of self in another person. This fear is intensified by the reality he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie refrains from painting either of his characters the obvious villain.
Both characters grapple with the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship after ten years. Fundamentally, they still love each other. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these concerns of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism avoids being hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a powerful case for staying single. Meanwhile, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could act as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the ending plant anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply turn to your other half and say, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is streaming on Hulu now.
