We present a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy the horror genre: Get comfortable with your loved one and view Together. This independent film success of 2025 has now made its online premiere on the Hulu service. At first glance, it could look like typical biological terror, but inside Together resides a intense meditation about how we choose to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a particular energy to their characters, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The narrative commences when the couple move from the big city to the rural area for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical story element, admittedly, but that’s largely where the cliches end. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the protagonists discover an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a strange force starts to affect the duo. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past simple connection.
The whole movie is a methodically building of scares, weaving in bits of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes during something grotesque). The director weaves these elements together seamlessly and wraps them up in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and far away from his social circle. He fears the concept of totally forfeiting his individual identity in Millie. This fear is amplified by the reality he can’t drive and needs Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie refrains from painting Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
The couple confront the type of challenges that are inherent in any relationship after ten years. At their core, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these anxieties of codependency and fully committing to another person, the symbolism does not come across as hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. It has been said that single viewers have understood the narrative as a powerful case for remaining unattached. On the other hand, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the ending inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply look at your other half and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can experience at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
