We present a challenge for partners in committed relationships who appreciate the horror genre: Get comfortable with your significant other and stream Together. This 2025 indie hit has now made its streaming debut on Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like conventional body horror, but within Together resides a deep examination about our choices in loving our partners.
A Debut Feature Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for a decade. Married in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a special spark to their characters, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative commences when the couple move from the metropolis to the country for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical story element, sure, but that’s primarily where the conventions cease. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the two discover an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity takes hold of the couple. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a methodically building fright fest, blending elements of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but never too gross) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and presents them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is waning due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and removed from his social circle. He fears the idea of completely losing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together never makes one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie grapple with the sort of issues that arise in most partnerships a decade in. Fundamentally, they have affection for each other. They find humor with each other, offer support, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these anxieties of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor never feels hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply look at your other half and say, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can experience right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
