Here's a challenge for partners in committed relationships who are fans of horror films: Get comfortable with your partner and view Together. This 2025 indie hit has now made its online premiere on the Hulu service. On the surface, it may seem like typical biological terror, but within Together lies a intense examination about how we choose to love each other.
A Debut Feature Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together marks the first full-length movie 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 a decade. Having wed in actuality in 2017, the two stars bring a particular energy to their characters, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The narrative begins when Tim and Millie relocate from the big city to the country for her career. A commonly used narrative setup, of course, but that’s mostly where the cliches end. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the two tumble into an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity begins influencing the pair. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a methodically building horror experience, interspersing elements of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes during something horrific). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and presents them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and distant from his network of friends. He fears the concept of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie refrains from painting either of his characters the obvious villain.
The couple face the type of challenges that are inherent in most partnerships after ten years. At their core, they have affection for one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these fears of codependency and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the allegory does not come across as clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have interpreted the film as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could act as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply look at your other half and state, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can experience right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu at present.
