Consider this a challenge for partners in committed relationships who enjoy the horror genre: Get comfortable with your loved one and watch Together. This 2025 indie hit just made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it might appear like conventional physical horror, but within Together exists a profound contemplation about our choices in loving each other.
A Directorial Debut Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for over ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the two stars bring a unique chemistry to their roles, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The narrative starts when Tim and Millie relocate from the metropolis to the countryside for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, sure, but that’s largely where the conventions cease. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists fall into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity takes hold of the couple. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a methodically building fright fest, blending elements of dreamlike terrors, gross (but never too gross) body horror, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes during something disturbing). Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and presents them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and distant from his network of friends. He is terrified of the concept of completely losing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie refrains from painting either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie confront the type of challenges that come with most partnerships over a long period. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these anxieties of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory avoids being overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a powerful case for staying single. Conversely, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the ending sow anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your significant other and say, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can undertake today.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu at present.
