Here's a dare for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of the horror genre: Get comfortable with your loved one and stream Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. On the surface, it could look like typical biological terror, but within Together exists a deep meditation about our choices in loving one another.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, the two stars bring a particular energy to their roles, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The story begins when Millie and Tim move from the urban environment to the country for her career. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, sure, but that’s mostly where the conventions cease. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists discover an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity begins influencing the duo. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying fright fest, interspersing moments of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is suffering due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and distant from his social circle. He is terrified of the concept of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is intensified by the fact he can’t drive and relies on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he never makes one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Both characters confront the kind of problems that come with long-term unions a decade in. At their core, they still love one another. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of codependency and fully committing to another person, the symbolism avoids being clumsy or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for staying single. Conversely, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the finale inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your other half and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu at present.
