Consider this a test for partners in committed relationships who are fans of the horror genre: Settle in with your significant other and view Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its online premiere via Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like standard biological terror, but beneath Together exists a intense examination about the ways we decide to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for over ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the two stars bring a special spark to their characters, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The story commences when Millie and Tim relocate from the metropolis to the rural area for her career. A commonly used story element, sure, but that’s mostly where the conventions conclude. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their country house, a storm hits, and the two fall into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a strange force takes hold of the couple. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a slow burn horror experience, weaving in elements of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes during something disturbing). Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and wraps them up in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and removed from his social circle. He fears the concept of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is intensified by the fact he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he refrains from painting one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Both characters confront the type of challenges that come with long-term unions after ten years. At their core, they continue to care for each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to another person, the symbolism does not come across as clumsy or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights work together symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a powerful case for remaining unattached. On the other hand, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the finale inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply turn to your significant other and say, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can undertake right now.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
