Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of the horror genre: Sit down with your significant other and stream Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it might appear like conventional physical horror, but beneath Together exists a deep contemplation about the ways we decide to love each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have been together for over ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, the two stars bring a particular energy to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The plot begins when Millie and Tim transition from the urban environment to the countryside for her career. A familiar plot device, sure, but that’s mostly where the tropes conclude. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their country house, a storm hits, and the two discover an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a strange force begins influencing the pair. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying fright fest, interspersing bits of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and delivers them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is suffering due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and removed from his network of friends. He fears the notion of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is amplified by the reality he can’t drive and relies on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together never makes Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie confront the kind of problems that come with long-term unions a decade in. Deep down, they continue to care for each other. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these concerns of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor does not come across as hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a compelling reason for staying single. Meanwhile, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could act as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your other half and state, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu now.
