Consider this a test for partners in committed relationships who appreciate the horror genre: Settle in with your partner and view Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its streaming debut on Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like conventional body horror, but beneath Together lies a profound meditation about our choices in loving our partners.
An Introductory Film Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for over ten years. Married in reality in 2017, the actors infuse a unique chemistry to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The story starts when Tim and Millie relocate from the urban environment to the country for professional reasons. A commonly used story element, of course, but that’s largely where the cliches cease. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their country house, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim fall into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence starts to affect the pair. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a methodically building of scares, weaving in bits of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but never too gross) body horror, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes amidst something horrific). Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and presents them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and removed from his network of friends. He fears the idea of totally forfeiting his individual identity in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision is that he refrains from painting either of his characters the obvious villain.
Both characters face the kind of problems that come with any relationship over a long period. Fundamentally, they continue to care for one another. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these anxieties of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism avoids being clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a strong argument for staying single. On the other hand, some couples having disagreements found that the film actually helped them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply look at your other half and say, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can embark on right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
