Consider this a test for partners in committed relationships who are fans of the horror genre: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. This 2025 indie hit just made its streaming debut via Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like conventional physical horror, but beneath Together exists a deep contemplation about our choices in loving one another.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, 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, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The narrative starts when Millie and Tim relocate from the big city to the countryside for her career. A commonly used plot device, sure, but that’s primarily where the conventions cease. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their country house, a storm hits, and the two fall into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a strange force takes hold of the duo. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying fright fest, interspersing elements of fever-dream horrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes during something disturbing). Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his floundering music career gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and far away from his social circle. He is terrified of the concept of completely losing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is intensified by the fact he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together refrains from painting Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie face the type of challenges that are inherent in any relationship after ten years. Deep down, they still love one another. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these fears of codependency and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the allegory never feels hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. It has been said that single viewers have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could function as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply look at your partner and say, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can experience today.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform now.
