Consider this a dare for long-term couples who enjoy horror films: Get comfortable with your loved one and watch Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its online premiere on the Hulu service. At first glance, it might appear like standard physical horror, but beneath Together lies a intense meditation about how we choose to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, the actors contribute a particular energy to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The story starts when Millie and Tim move from the urban environment to the country for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical story element, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the cliches conclude. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim fall into an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence starts to affect the duo. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a slow burn of scares, blending elements of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes during something disturbing). The director orchestrates these parts seamlessly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and far away from his support system. He fears the idea of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is amplified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together never makes Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Both characters grapple with the kind of problems that are inherent in most partnerships over a long period. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They share moments of joy, offer support, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these concerns of codependency and totally devoting oneself to another person, the metaphor avoids being overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. On the other hand, some couples experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could act as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply look at your significant other and utter, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
