We present a test for partners in committed relationships who enjoy horror films: Get comfortable with your loved one and stream Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its online premiere on Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like conventional physical horror, but beneath Together lies a deep meditation about the ways we decide to love one another.
A Debut Feature Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together is the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars bring a unique chemistry to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The plot commences when the couple move from the big city to the country for Millie’s job. A familiar plot device, sure, but that’s mostly where the conventions conclude. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists tumble into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence begins influencing the pair. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a methodically building of scares, interspersing moments of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but never too gross) physical transformations, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and delivers them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is only the two lead actors, and they deftly portray countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is suffering due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and distant from his social circle. He is terrified of the idea of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he refrains from painting either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Both characters face the sort of issues that come with most partnerships after ten years. At their core, they still love each other. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Conversely, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale sow anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your partner and say, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can undertake right now.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
