Consider this a test for long-term couples who enjoy the horror genre: Get comfortable with your significant other and view Together. The 2025 indie hit recently had its online premiere on the Hulu service. At first glance, it could look like standard body horror, but inside Together resides a profound contemplation about our choices in loving one another.
A Debut Feature Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for over ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the actors infuse a special spark to their roles, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The narrative commences when Millie and Tim transition from the metropolis to the rural area for Millie’s job. A commonly used narrative setup, sure, but that’s primarily where the tropes cease. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim fall into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity starts to affect the couple. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying horror experience, blending moments of dreamlike terrors, gross (but tastefully done) body horror, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes during something disturbing). Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and delivers them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and removed from his network of friends. He is terrified of the concept of totally forfeiting his individual identity in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in Together never makes either of his characters the definite antagonist.
The couple grapple with the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship a decade in. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They share moments of joy, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these fears of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to another person, the symbolism does not come across as hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Conversely, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the ending plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your partner and say, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is streaming on Hulu now.
