We present a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate horror films: Sit down with your partner and stream Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it could look like standard physical horror, but beneath Together resides a intense contemplation about the ways we decide to love our partners.
A Debut Feature Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a particular energy to their roles, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The plot starts when Millie and Tim transition from the big city to the countryside for her career. A familiar story element, admittedly, but that’s largely where the cliches conclude. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their new home, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim fall into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence takes hold of the duo. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a methodically building horror experience, blending elements of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but never too gross) physical transformations, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes during something grotesque). The director weaves these elements together seamlessly and presents them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and distant from his support system. He dreads the idea of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he refrains from painting one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Both characters face the kind of problems that come with long-term unions after ten years. Fundamentally, they still love one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these concerns of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism avoids being clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, some couples having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could act as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your other half and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform at present.
