Here's a test for partners in committed relationships who appreciate the horror genre: Sit down with your partner and stream Together. The 2025 indie hit recently had its online premiere via Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like standard body horror, but beneath Together resides a intense contemplation about our choices in loving our partners.
An Introductory Film Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for a decade. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the actors infuse a unique chemistry to their roles, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The story begins when the couple transition from the metropolis to the countryside for professional reasons. A familiar narrative setup, sure, but that’s mostly where the tropes end. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their new home, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim discover an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence begins influencing the duo. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The entire film is a slow burn of scares, interspersing elements of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes during something disturbing). The director orchestrates these parts expertly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they deftly portray 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 unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and far away from his support system. He fears the idea of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is intensified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision is that he refrains from painting either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie face the kind of problems that are inherent in most partnerships a decade in. At their core, they continue to care for each other. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these concerns of codependency and totally devoting oneself to another person, the metaphor avoids being hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, some couples having disagreements found that the film actually helped them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply look at your other half and say, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can experience at this very moment.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
