We present a challenge for partners in committed relationships who enjoy horror films: Get comfortable with your partner and view Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its streaming debut via Hulu. Outwardly, it may seem like standard body horror, but beneath Together lies a profound meditation about how we choose to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together represents the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, the two stars contribute a unique chemistry to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The plot begins when the couple move from the big city to the countryside for her career. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, sure, but that’s largely where the conventions cease. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their new home, a storm hits, and the protagonists tumble into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a strange force starts to affect the duo. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The complete narrative is a slow burn horror experience, weaving in elements of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but never too gross) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and presents them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is only the two lead actors, and they deftly portray countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and far away from his network of friends. He dreads the idea of completely losing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is amplified by the reality he can’t drive and relies on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie avoids making either of his characters the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie confront the sort of issues that are inherent in long-term unions a decade in. Fundamentally, they have affection for each other. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of codependency and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the allegory avoids being clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. It has been said that single viewers have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your partner and state, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can experience at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu now.
