We present a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of horror films: Settle in with your significant other and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit recently had its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. Outwardly, it may seem like conventional biological terror, but beneath Together resides a deep meditation about how we choose to love one another.
A Debut Feature Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for a decade. Married in actuality in 2017, the two stars contribute a unique chemistry to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The narrative starts when Millie and Tim relocate from the metropolis to the countryside for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical story element, of course, but that’s largely where the tropes conclude. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their country house, a storm hits, and the two fall into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity takes hold of the duo. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a methodically building of scares, weaving in bits of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) body horror, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes amidst something horrific). Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and delivers them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they masterfully render countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and distant from his support system. He fears the notion of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he can’t drive and relies on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie never makes Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie face the sort of issues that come with any relationship over a long period. Deep down, they continue to care for one another. They share moments of joy, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these concerns of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor does not come across as overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that single viewers have seen the movie as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could act as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? 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”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
