Consider this a challenge for partners in committed relationships who enjoy the horror genre: Sit down with your significant other and watch Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its online premiere via Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like standard biological terror, but within Together exists a profound meditation about the ways we decide to love our partners.
A Debut Feature Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have been together for a decade. Married in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a special spark to their characters, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The story starts when Millie and Tim transition from the metropolis to the countryside for Millie’s job. A familiar plot device, admittedly, but that’s largely where the tropes cease. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their country house, a tempest descends, and the two fall into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence begins influencing the pair. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past simple connection.
The entire film is a slow burn horror experience, interspersing bits of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and presents them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they deftly portray countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and removed from his social circle. He fears the idea of completely losing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is amplified by the fact he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie avoids making either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters confront the kind of problems that arise in most partnerships after ten years. Deep down, they still love one another. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor avoids being overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that single viewers have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for staying single. Conversely, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the ending plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply turn to your other half and say, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can embark on today.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
