Here's a challenge for partners in committed relationships who enjoy horror films: Sit down with your significant other and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. On the surface, it could look like standard physical horror, but within Together lies a deep examination about our choices in loving each other.
An Introductory Film Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, partners that have remained a couple for ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, the two stars bring a particular energy to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The plot starts when Tim and Millie transition from the metropolis to the rural area for her career. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s largely where the conventions conclude. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists tumble into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity takes hold of the duo. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a methodically building of scares, blending moments of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) body horror, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is waning due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and far away from his social circle. He is terrified of the notion of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie avoids making Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
The couple face the sort of issues that are inherent in long-term unions over a long period. Fundamentally, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these concerns of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor never feels clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights work together in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. It has been said that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Conversely, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could act as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale inspire anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply turn to your other half and say, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform at present.
