Consider this a dare for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy horror films: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it may seem like conventional physical horror, but within Together resides a deep contemplation about the ways we decide to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, the two stars contribute a particular energy to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The narrative starts when Millie and Tim relocate from the urban environment to the country for professional reasons. A commonly used story element, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the tropes end. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim fall into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity begins influencing the duo. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying of scares, blending elements of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but never too gross) body horror, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes during something grotesque). Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and delivers them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and far away from his network of friends. He is terrified of the concept of completely losing his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together refrains from painting one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Both characters face the type of challenges that arise in any relationship over a long period. Deep down, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these fears of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism avoids being clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that single viewers have interpreted the film as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could act as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the finale plant anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply look at your significant other and utter, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu now.
