We present a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy the horror genre: Settle in with your partner and stream Together. This 2025 indie hit has now made its streaming debut on Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like typical biological terror, but inside Together lies a profound examination about how we choose to love one another.
An Introductory Film Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for over ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, the actors infuse a particular energy to their characters, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The narrative starts when Millie and Tim transition from the big city to the rural area for Millie’s job. A familiar plot device, sure, but that’s largely where the conventions end. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the two fall into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence takes hold of the couple. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying fright fest, weaving in elements of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes during something disturbing). Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and presents them in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is only the two lead actors, and they masterfully render countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and removed from his support system. He is terrified of the notion of completely losing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is amplified by the fact he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision is that he avoids making one partner or the other the obvious villain.
The couple confront the kind of problems that are inherent in any relationship over a long period. Fundamentally, they still love one another. They find humor with each other, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these fears of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism never feels hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama work together in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, certain partners having disagreements found that the film actually helped them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could act as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the ending sow anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply look at your significant other and say, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can experience today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform now.
