We present a challenge for partners in committed relationships who are fans of the horror genre: Get comfortable with your loved one and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 has now made its online premiere via Hulu. On the surface, it could look like typical physical horror, but inside Together lies a deep contemplation about our choices in loving our partners.
An Introductory Film Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together marks the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for over ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a special spark to their roles, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The story starts when Tim and Millie transition from the big city to the countryside for her career. A commonly used narrative setup, sure, but that’s mostly where the tropes end. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim fall into an underground cave. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity takes hold of the duo. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying fright fest, blending bits of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) body horror, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes during something horrific). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and delivers them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and far away from his network of friends. He dreads the idea of completely losing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is amplified by the reality he can’t drive and relies on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie never makes one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
The couple confront the sort of issues that come with any relationship over a long period. At their core, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these fears of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism avoids being overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. It has been said that single viewers have interpreted the film as a strong argument for staying single. On the other hand, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could act as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the finale inspire anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your other half and state, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can undertake today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform at present.
