We present a test for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of scary movies: Sit down with your significant other and stream Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its streaming debut on Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like conventional physical horror, but beneath Together lies a profound meditation about our choices in loving one another.
An Introductory Film Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars contribute a special spark to their characters, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The narrative starts when Tim and Millie move from the big city to the countryside for Millie’s job. A commonly used story element, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the cliches conclude. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists discover an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity takes hold of the duo. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying of scares, weaving in elements of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but tastefully done) body horror, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and isolated 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 personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together avoids making Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie grapple with the kind of problems that come with most partnerships after ten years. Fundamentally, they continue to care for each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these fears of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to another person, the symbolism avoids being hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, some couples experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could act as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the ending sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply look at your partner and state, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can experience today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform at present.
