We present a challenge for long-term couples who are fans of the horror genre: Settle in with your significant other and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its streaming debut via Hulu. At first glance, it could look like standard body horror, but within Together resides a profound contemplation about how we choose to love our partners.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have been together for ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the two stars contribute a unique chemistry to their characters, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The story commences when the couple transition from the urban environment to the rural area for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s mostly where the conventions conclude. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim fall into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence takes hold of the couple. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The whole movie is a slow burn fright fest, interspersing moments of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes during something grotesque). Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and presents them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and removed from his support system. He dreads the idea of completely losing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie refrains from painting Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
The couple grapple with the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship after ten years. Deep down, they continue to care for each other. They find humor with each other, offer support, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to another person, the allegory does not come across as clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights serve the other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a strong argument for staying single. On the other hand, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could function as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion sow anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply look at your partner and state, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can embark on right now.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu now.
