Here's a test for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy the horror genre: Sit down with your partner and stream Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its streaming debut on Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like typical physical horror, but within Together resides a intense examination about how we choose to love one another.
A Debut Feature Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for a decade. Having wed in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a unique chemistry to their roles, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The story begins when the couple move from the urban environment to the rural area for her career. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s primarily where the cliches end. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the two tumble into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity begins influencing the duo. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a methodically building horror experience, blending moments of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes during something grotesque). The director orchestrates these parts seamlessly and delivers them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is waning due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and removed from his social circle. He is terrified of the notion of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he never makes one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
The couple face the kind of problems that are inherent in most partnerships after ten years. Fundamentally, they still love each other. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these anxieties of codependency and totally devoting oneself to another person, the metaphor does not come across as overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a strong argument for staying single. On the other hand, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the ending plant anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply look at your other half and utter, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can embark on today.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform now.
