We present a dare for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy horror films: Get comfortable with your loved one and stream Together. This 2025 indie hit just made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like conventional body horror, but beneath Together lies a intense contemplation about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Debut Feature Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together represents the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for over ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, the two stars infuse a unique chemistry to their roles, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The plot begins when Millie and Tim relocate from the metropolis to the country for Millie’s job. A familiar story element, of course, but that’s mostly where the cliches end. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the protagonists fall into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence takes hold of the pair. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past simple connection.
The entire film is a slow burn of scares, weaving in elements of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but tastefully done) body horror, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes during something disturbing). Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and presents them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and removed from his social circle. He fears the idea of completely losing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he can’t drive and relies on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in Together refrains from painting Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
The couple confront the type of challenges that are inherent in any relationship after ten years. At their core, they still love one another. They share moments of joy, offer support, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of codependency and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the symbolism never feels overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, some couples having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could function as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the ending sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your partner and say, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can undertake today.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
