We present a challenge for long-term couples who are fans of the horror genre: Get comfortable with your partner and view Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like typical biological terror, but inside Together lies a deep contemplation about our choices in loving our partners.
A Debut Feature Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together marks the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have been together for ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the actors infuse a unique chemistry to their roles, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The story starts when Tim and Millie relocate from the metropolis to the country for professional reasons. A commonly used story element, admittedly, but that’s largely where the cliches end. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the protagonists discover an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity takes hold of the couple. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The whole movie is a methodically building fright fest, blending moments of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but never too gross) body horror, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes during something horrific). The director skillfully blends these components seamlessly and presents them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and distant from his support system. He is terrified of the notion of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is amplified by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in Together refrains from painting either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Both characters face the kind of problems that arise in any relationship a decade in. Fundamentally, they continue to care for each other. They still laugh together, offer support, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these fears of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to another person, the symbolism does not come across as overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that single viewers have understood the narrative as a strong argument for staying single. Meanwhile, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could act as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your partner and say, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can undertake today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform at present.
