We present a test for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy horror films: Settle in with your significant other and view Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its online premiere via Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like standard physical horror, but within Together exists a deep meditation about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Debut Feature Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together marks the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the actors infuse a particular energy to their roles, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The story commences when Millie and Tim move from the big city to the rural area for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, sure, but that’s largely where the conventions conclude. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their country house, a storm hits, and the protagonists fall into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a strange force begins influencing the couple. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a slow burn fright fest, weaving in moments of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes during something horrific). Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and delivers them in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and distant from his support system. He fears the notion of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie never makes Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
The couple grapple with the type of challenges that are inherent in most partnerships after ten years. Deep down, they continue to care for one another. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to another person, the allegory avoids being overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that single viewers have seen the movie as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the ending inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your significant other and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can experience right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform at present.
