We present a test for long-term couples who enjoy horror films: Settle in with your significant other and watch Together. This 2025 indie hit has now made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it may seem like typical physical horror, but inside Together exists a intense examination about the ways we decide to love our partners.
A Debut Feature Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, partners that have remained a couple for ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a unique chemistry to their roles, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The plot begins when Tim and Millie relocate from the big city to the country for her career. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s largely where the conventions cease. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim tumble into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence starts to affect the pair. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying fright fest, blending elements of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and delivers them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and far away from his network of friends. He fears the notion of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is amplified by the fact he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together avoids making either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Both characters confront the kind of problems that are inherent in long-term unions a decade in. At their core, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a powerful case for remaining unattached. On the other hand, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could function as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply turn to your other half and utter, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can experience right now.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu now.
