Consider this a challenge for long-term couples who appreciate the horror genre: Sit down with your loved one and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. On the surface, it might appear like standard body horror, but within Together resides a intense examination about how we choose to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, the two stars infuse a special spark to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The story commences when the couple relocate from the big city to the country for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s largely where the tropes conclude. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the two discover an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity starts to affect the duo. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The entire film is a slow burn of scares, blending moments of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes amidst something grotesque). The director weaves these elements together neatly and presents them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is only the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his floundering music career gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and far away from his social circle. He dreads the notion of totally forfeiting his individual identity in Millie. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie never makes one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie face the type of challenges that come with most partnerships a decade in. Fundamentally, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these fears of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the metaphor never feels overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal work together symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could act as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the finale plant anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply look at your other half and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
