Here's a challenge for long-term couples who enjoy the horror genre: Settle in with your loved one and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like conventional biological terror, but beneath Together exists a profound meditation about our choices in loving one another.
A Debut Feature Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for a decade. Having wed in reality in 2017, the actors bring a special spark to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The story starts when the couple relocate from the urban environment to the rural area for her career. A familiar plot device, sure, but that’s largely where the conventions end. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim discover an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a strange force takes hold of the pair. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The whole movie is a methodically building horror experience, interspersing elements of dreamlike terrors, gross (but never too gross) body horror, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and presents them in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they deftly portray countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and distant from his network of friends. He fears the notion of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is intensified by the reality he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision is that he avoids making Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Both characters confront the kind of problems that arise in most partnerships over a long period. Deep down, they still love one another. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor avoids being clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a strong argument for staying single. Conversely, some couples experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your other half and say, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can undertake right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu at present.
