We present a test for partners in committed relationships who are fans of the horror genre: Settle in with your partner and stream Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its streaming debut on Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like typical physical horror, but within Together exists a intense meditation about how we choose to love each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together marks the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for over ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a particular energy to their characters, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The narrative starts when the couple move from the urban environment to the rural area for her career. A commonly used story element, of course, but that’s mostly where the tropes end. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the two fall into an underground cave. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence begins influencing the couple. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying horror experience, weaving in moments of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes during something grotesque). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and presents them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and far away from his social circle. He dreads the concept of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he can’t drive and needs Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie avoids making either of his characters the obvious villain.
Both characters face the type of challenges that are inherent in long-term unions over a long period. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They share moments of joy, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to another person, the allegory never feels clumsy or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights work together symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the finale plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your partner and say, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can experience right now.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu now.
