We present a challenge for partners in committed relationships who are fans of the horror genre: Settle in with your significant other and view Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its streaming debut on Hulu. At first glance, it could look like standard body horror, but within Together lies a deep meditation about the ways we decide to love each other.
An Introductory Film Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a special spark to their roles, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The narrative starts when Millie and Tim relocate from the metropolis to the rural area for her career. A familiar narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the tropes conclude. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the two discover an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a strange force starts to affect the duo. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a slow burn horror experience, weaving in moments of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes amidst something horrific). The director weaves these elements together seamlessly and wraps them up in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is suffering due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and far away from his social circle. He fears the notion of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he can’t drive and relies on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie never makes Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie grapple with the type of challenges that come with most partnerships over a long period. At their core, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, offer support, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to another person, the symbolism never feels clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that single viewers have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Conversely, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could act as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the ending sow anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply turn to your significant other and say, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can undertake right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform now.
