Here's a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of horror films: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its online premiere via Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like typical biological terror, but beneath Together exists a profound contemplation about the ways we decide to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together is the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for ten years. Married in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a particular energy to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The story begins when Millie and Tim move from the urban environment to the country for Millie’s job. A commonly used plot device, sure, but that’s mostly where the tropes cease. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the two discover an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence begins influencing the duo. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a slow burn fright fest, weaving in moments of dreamlike terrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). The director weaves these elements together seamlessly and wraps them up in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they deftly portray countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his floundering music career inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and far away from his support system. He is terrified of the idea of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he can’t drive and needs Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he avoids making one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie face the kind of problems that come with any relationship over a long period. At their core, they still love one another. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the allegory does not come across as overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that single viewers have interpreted the film as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Conversely, some couples having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could act as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion inspire anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your partner and state, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can undertake today.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu now.
