We present a test for partners in committed relationships who enjoy the horror genre: Get comfortable with your significant other and view Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its online premiere on Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like typical physical horror, but within Together resides a deep examination about how we choose to love each other.
An Introductory Film Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have stayed together for ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, the two stars contribute a unique chemistry to their roles, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The story starts when Tim and Millie transition from the big city to the rural area for Millie’s job. A commonly used story element, of course, but that’s mostly where the tropes conclude. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the two fall into an underground cave. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence takes hold of the couple. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The complete narrative is a methodically building fright fest, interspersing moments of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes during something grotesque). The director weaves these elements together expertly and delivers them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is only the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his floundering music career gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and far away from his support system. He is terrified of the notion of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie avoids making either of his characters the obvious villain.
The couple face the sort of issues that are inherent in long-term unions over a long period. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these anxieties of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism never feels clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could function as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion plant anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your partner and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can embark on today.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform at present.
