We present a test for long-term couples who appreciate the horror genre: Get comfortable with your loved one and view Together. This 2025 indie hit just made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. On the surface, it could look like typical physical horror, but within Together resides a deep meditation about our choices in loving our partners.
A Debut Feature Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together marks the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for over ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a particular energy to their characters, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The narrative starts when the couple transition from the urban environment to the rural area for Millie’s job. A commonly used narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s largely where the tropes conclude. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their new home, a storm hits, and the two tumble into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a strange force starts to affect the pair. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying horror experience, weaving in elements of dreamlike terrors, gross (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes during something grotesque). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and far away from his support system. He dreads the concept of completely losing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is amplified by the fact he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he never makes Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Both characters confront the sort of issues that are inherent in long-term unions a decade in. At their core, they have affection for one another. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these fears of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory avoids being overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that single viewers have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Conversely, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could act as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the finale inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist 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 embark on right now.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu now.
