We present a dare for partners in committed relationships who are fans of the horror genre: Get comfortable with your loved one and stream Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its streaming debut on Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like conventional physical horror, but beneath Together lies a deep examination about our choices in loving our partners.
An Introductory Film Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together represents the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the two stars contribute a special spark to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The plot begins when the couple move from the metropolis to the rural area for professional reasons. A familiar story element, sure, but that’s primarily where the cliches cease. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the protagonists fall into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence starts to affect the duo. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying horror experience, interspersing elements of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes during something grotesque). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and delivers them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and distant from his support system. He dreads the concept of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he can’t drive and needs Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie avoids making either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Both characters face the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship after ten years. Deep down, they still love one another. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these concerns of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to another person, the allegory avoids being clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Conversely, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could function as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion inspire anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your significant other and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can undertake today.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu now.
