Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of horror films: Sit down with your significant other and stream Together. This 2025 indie hit just made its online premiere on the Hulu service. At first glance, it might appear like standard body horror, but inside Together exists a profound meditation about the ways we decide to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for a decade. Having wed in actuality in 2017, the two stars contribute a unique chemistry to their roles, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The story starts when Tim and Millie relocate from the urban environment to the country for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical story element, admittedly, but that’s largely where the cliches cease. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the two fall into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity begins influencing the pair. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a methodically building horror experience, interspersing bits of dreamlike terrors, gross (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes amidst something horrific). The director orchestrates these parts neatly and presents them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is only the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is suffering due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and removed from his network of friends. He fears the concept of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he never makes one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Both characters confront the type of challenges that arise in any relationship over a long period. Fundamentally, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these fears of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to another person, the symbolism avoids being clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a powerful case for staying single. Conversely, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could act as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the ending inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply turn to your partner and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can embark on right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu at present.
