We present a dare for long-term couples who appreciate the horror genre: Sit down with your significant other and watch Together. This 2025 indie hit has now made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. On the surface, it may seem like conventional body horror, but beneath Together lies a deep examination about the ways we decide to love our partners.
A Directorial Debut Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, the actors infuse a unique chemistry to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The narrative begins when Millie and Tim transition from the big city to the rural area for Millie’s job. A familiar narrative setup, sure, but that’s mostly where the tropes end. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the protagonists fall into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity begins influencing the pair. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a slow burn horror experience, interspersing moments of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) body horror, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). The director weaves these elements together seamlessly and presents them in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and far away from his support system. He is terrified of the concept of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together refrains from painting one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie confront the kind of problems that come with long-term unions a decade in. Fundamentally, they still love one another. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these concerns of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory avoids being hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a strong argument for staying single. Meanwhile, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion inspire anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply look at your partner and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can undertake right now.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu at present.
