Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate the horror genre: Get comfortable with your partner and watch Together. This independent film success of 2025 has now made its online premiere on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it may seem like typical biological terror, but beneath Together exists a intense examination about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for ten years. Having wed in actuality in 2017, the actors contribute a special spark to their roles, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The story begins when Millie and Tim transition from the big city to the countryside for her career. A commonly used plot device, of course, but that’s mostly where the conventions end. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their new home, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim fall into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence begins influencing the couple. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying of scares, blending elements of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). The director skillfully blends these components seamlessly and presents them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and removed from his social circle. He is terrified of the notion of totally forfeiting his sense of self in his partner. This fear is intensified by the fact he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together never makes either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters grapple with the kind of problems that are inherent in long-term unions after ten years. Deep down, they continue to care for each other. They find humor with each other, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these fears of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. Conversely, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could function as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the ending plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply look at your significant other and utter, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu now.
