Consider this a dare for partners in committed relationships who enjoy the horror genre: Sit down with your loved one and watch Together. This 2025 indie hit has now made its streaming debut on Hulu. At first glance, it might appear like conventional physical horror, but within Together lies a deep meditation about the ways we decide to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together represents the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for a decade. Having wed in reality in 2017, the actors contribute a particular energy to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The narrative starts when Millie and Tim transition from the urban environment to the countryside for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the cliches conclude. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the two discover an underground cave. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a strange force starts to affect the couple. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a slow burn fright fest, blending bits of dreamlike terrors, gross (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and wraps them up in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self 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 gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and far away from his social circle. He is terrified of the concept of completely losing his sense of self in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he can’t drive and needs Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie never makes Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Both characters face the type of challenges that are inherent in any relationship after ten years. Deep down, they still love each other. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these fears of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory avoids being hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Conversely, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion plant anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your significant other and state, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can embark on right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu now.
