Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate the horror genre: Sit down with your partner and view Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its streaming debut via Hulu. At first glance, it might appear like typical physical horror, but within Together resides a intense meditation about how we choose to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together is the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, the two stars infuse a special spark to their characters, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The plot begins when Tim and Millie move from the big city to the countryside for her career. A somewhat stereotypical story element, sure, but that’s primarily where the tropes end. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim fall into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity starts to affect the couple. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a methodically building horror experience, blending elements of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but never too gross) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). The director orchestrates these parts expertly and wraps them up in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and removed from his support system. He fears the idea of totally forfeiting his individual identity in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he never makes Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
The couple face the type of challenges that arise in long-term unions a decade in. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these anxieties of codependency and totally devoting oneself to another person, the allegory does not come across as hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that single viewers have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could function as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply look at your significant other and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can experience at this very moment.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform at present.
