Here's a challenge for partners in committed relationships who are fans of horror films: Sit down with your partner and stream Together. This 2025 indie hit just made its online premiere via Hulu. At first glance, it might appear like conventional biological terror, but inside Together resides a deep contemplation about the ways we decide to love one another.
An Introductory Film Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for ten years. Having wed in actuality in 2017, the actors infuse a special spark to their characters, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The plot commences when Tim and Millie transition from the metropolis to the country for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical story element, of course, but that’s mostly where the conventions cease. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the protagonists tumble into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence begins influencing the duo. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying of scares, weaving in elements of fever-dream horrors, gross (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and presents them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and removed from his social circle. He dreads the concept of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together refrains from painting either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Both characters confront the kind of problems that are inherent in any relationship over a long period. Deep down, they still love one another. They still laugh together, offer support, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these concerns of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the metaphor avoids being overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Conversely, some couples having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending plant anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your partner and state, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can undertake today.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu at present.
