Consider this a dare for long-term couples who enjoy the horror genre: Get comfortable with your significant other and stream Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its streaming debut via Hulu. On the surface, it could look like conventional biological terror, but inside Together exists a profound contemplation about how we choose to love each other.
An Introductory Film Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together is the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, the actors contribute a unique chemistry to their characters, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The story starts when the couple move from the urban environment to the country for her career. A somewhat stereotypical story element, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the conventions cease. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their new home, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim fall into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity begins influencing the couple. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a methodically building of scares, weaving in moments of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes amidst something horrific). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and delivers them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and distant from his support system. He fears the concept of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he never makes Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Both characters confront the kind of problems that are inherent in most partnerships after ten years. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They share moments of joy, offer support, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these anxieties of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism avoids being overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama work together in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a powerful case for staying single. On the other hand, some couples having disagreements found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could function as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the finale inspire anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your partner and state, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can undertake right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform at present.
