Here's a test for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of horror films: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like typical biological terror, but inside Together lies a profound contemplation about how we choose to love one another.
A Debut Feature Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have been together for a decade. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars contribute a special spark to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The story commences when Millie and Tim move from the metropolis to the country for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical story element, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the conventions conclude. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking 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 mysterious influence begins influencing the pair. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a slow burn of scares, interspersing moments of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) body horror, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes during something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and presents them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and distant from his network of friends. He dreads the idea of completely losing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in Together avoids making one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie grapple with the sort of issues that arise in any relationship after ten years. At their core, they have affection for each other. They find humor with each other, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these concerns of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the metaphor never feels clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Conversely, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could act as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply look at your significant other and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can embark on today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform at present.
