Here's a test for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy the horror genre: Settle in with your loved one and view Together. This 2025 indie hit has now made its streaming debut on Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like standard body horror, but beneath Together exists a deep examination about the ways we decide to love each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for ten years. Married in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a unique chemistry to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative begins when Tim and Millie move from the big city to the country for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the tropes end. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the two tumble into an underground cave. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence starts to affect the duo. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The whole movie is a slow burn horror experience, blending bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes during something grotesque). The director weaves these elements together expertly and presents them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and distant from his network of friends. He fears the notion of totally forfeiting his sense of self in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie avoids making either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie face the sort of issues that come with any relationship over a long period. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these fears of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to another person, the allegory never feels hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. It has been said that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could act as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your other half and utter, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can experience at this very moment.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu at present.
