We present a test for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of horror films: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. Outwardly, it may seem like typical body horror, but beneath Together resides a intense examination about our choices in loving one another.
An Introductory Film Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together is the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It features 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. United in marriage in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a unique chemistry to their characters, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The narrative starts when Tim and Millie transition from the big city to the rural area for Millie’s job. A commonly used plot device, of course, but that’s largely where the cliches end. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the two tumble into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity begins influencing the duo. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The entire film is a methodically building of scares, blending bits of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and presents them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and far away from his support system. He dreads the concept of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is intensified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie refrains from painting either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie face the type of challenges that come with most partnerships over a long period. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these fears of codependency and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the metaphor never feels hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that single viewers have interpreted the film as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, some couples having disagreements found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply look at your significant other and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can experience today.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
