We present a test for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate horror films: Sit down with your loved one and view Together. This 2025 indie hit just made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. At first glance, it might appear like conventional biological terror, but beneath Together exists a profound examination about our choices in loving each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together represents the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple 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. Married in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a special spark to their roles, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The plot begins when Millie and Tim transition from the metropolis to the countryside for professional reasons. A commonly used narrative setup, sure, but that’s mostly where the conventions conclude. Together evolves 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 storm hits, and the two tumble into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity begins influencing the couple. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a slow burn of scares, interspersing bits of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes during something grotesque). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is suffering due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and removed from his support system. He dreads the idea of completely losing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together avoids making either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that are inherent in long-term unions a decade in. Fundamentally, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, offer support, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these anxieties of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to another person, the symbolism never feels clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that single viewers have interpreted the film as a powerful case for staying single. 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 reaction could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the ending inspire anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your partner and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform now.
