We present a dare for partners in committed relationships who enjoy scary movies: Sit down with your loved one and view Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its online premiere on Hulu. On the surface, it could look like typical biological terror, but beneath Together resides a deep meditation about the ways we decide to love one another.
A Debut Feature Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together marks the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, the two stars contribute a unique chemistry to their roles, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The plot commences when the couple transition from the big city to the rural area for Millie’s job. A commonly used narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s largely where the cliches conclude. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the two tumble into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity begins influencing the couple. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The entire film is a slow burn fright fest, interspersing bits of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but never too gross) body horror, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and presents them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and distant from his network of friends. He is terrified of the notion of completely losing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is amplified by the reality he can’t drive and relies on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he refrains from painting one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie face the sort of issues that arise in any relationship a decade in. Deep down, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these anxieties of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to another person, the allegory never feels clumsy or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama serve the other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for staying single. On the other hand, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could act as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your significant other and state, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can undertake today.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform now.
