We present a dare for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of the horror genre: Get comfortable with your significant other and view Together. The independent film success of 2025 has now made its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like typical biological terror, but within Together exists a deep contemplation about how we choose to love each other.
An Introductory Film Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together represents the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for ten years. Married in reality in 2017, the two stars bring a unique chemistry to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The story commences when the couple transition from the big city to the rural area for Millie’s job. A commonly used narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the tropes end. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the two fall into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a strange force begins influencing the duo. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past simple connection.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying horror experience, blending bits of dreamlike terrors, gross (but tastefully done) body horror, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and presents them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they masterfully render countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and removed from his support system. He is terrified of the idea of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he can’t drive and relies on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together refrains from painting Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that arise in long-term unions over a long period. Deep down, they still love one another. They find humor with each other, offer support, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these anxieties of codependency and fully committing to another person, the allegory avoids being hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama serve the other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that single viewers have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. Conversely, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your partner and state, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
