We present a challenge for long-term couples who enjoy the horror genre: Get comfortable with your partner and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 has now made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. On the surface, it could look like conventional physical horror, but beneath Together exists a deep examination about our choices in loving our partners.
An Introductory Film Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together is the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for a decade. Having wed in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a special spark to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The plot commences when Tim and Millie relocate from the metropolis to the rural area for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical story element, of course, but that’s largely where the cliches cease. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim discover an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity starts to affect the duo. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a slow burn horror experience, blending bits of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but tastefully done) body horror, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes amidst something horrific). Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and wraps them up in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and far away from his network of friends. He fears the idea of completely losing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he can’t drive and needs Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision is that he refrains from painting Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie confront the kind of problems that arise in any relationship a decade in. Fundamentally, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these concerns of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the allegory avoids being hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have seen the movie as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your significant other and state, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can embark on today.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu at present.
