Here's a test for long-term couples who appreciate the horror genre: Get comfortable with your partner and watch Together. This 2025 indie hit just made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. On the surface, it might appear like typical body horror, but inside Together resides a profound examination about the ways we decide to love our partners.
A Debut Feature Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for ten years. Having wed in actuality in 2017, the two stars bring a unique chemistry to their characters, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The plot commences when the couple relocate from the metropolis to the country for her career. A commonly used plot device, of course, but that’s primarily where the conventions cease. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists discover an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence starts to affect the duo. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past simple connection.
The complete narrative is a methodically building fright fest, interspersing bits of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes during something disturbing). The director orchestrates these parts expertly and presents them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and distant from his support system. He is terrified of the notion of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is amplified by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie refrains from painting Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that are inherent in most partnerships over a long period. Fundamentally, they continue to care for each other. They still laugh together, offer support, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism avoids being overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, some couples having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the ending sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply look at your partner and say, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can experience right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu as of this moment.
