We present a challenge for partners in committed relationships who are fans of horror films: Settle in with your significant other and stream Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like conventional body horror, but within Together lies a profound examination about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together marks the first full-length movie 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 a decade. Married in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a unique chemistry to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The plot starts when Millie and Tim transition from the urban environment to the countryside for her career. A commonly used narrative setup, of course, but that’s largely where the cliches conclude. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the two fall into an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a strange force starts to affect the pair. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying horror experience, interspersing bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and delivers them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is only the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and removed from his support system. He is terrified of the notion of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he can’t drive and relies on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie avoids making Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
The couple grapple with the kind of problems that come with most partnerships over a long period. At their core, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the allegory avoids being overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a compelling reason for staying single. Conversely, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could act as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the ending sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your other half and say, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can embark on today.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.