We present a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of scary movies: Get comfortable with your significant other and view Together. This independent film success of 2025 recently had its online premiere on the Hulu service. At first glance, it might appear like conventional biological terror, but inside Together exists a profound examination about the ways we decide to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for a decade. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the two stars bring a unique chemistry to their roles, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The narrative starts when the couple transition from the metropolis to the rural area for Millie’s job. A familiar narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the conventions end. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the two tumble into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a strange force begins influencing the couple. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a slow burn horror experience, blending moments of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes amidst something horrific). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and presents them in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is only the two lead actors, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and removed from his social circle. He is terrified of the notion of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is amplified by the fact he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together refrains from painting either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie confront the type of challenges that come with any relationship after ten years. Fundamentally, they continue to care for each other. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these anxieties of codependency and fully committing to another person, the metaphor does not come across as overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Conversely, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending sow anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply turn to your significant other and utter, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu now.
