Here's a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy the horror genre: Get comfortable with your significant other and view Together. This independent film success of 2025 recently had its streaming debut via Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like typical biological terror, but beneath Together lies a profound meditation about our choices in loving each other.
A Debut Feature Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a special spark to their characters, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The story starts when Tim and Millie move from the urban environment to the country for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical story element, of course, but that’s primarily where the cliches cease. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their new home, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim discover an underground cave. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity takes hold of the pair. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a slow burn fright fest, blending elements of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) body horror, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes amidst something horrific). Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and wraps them up in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and removed from his support system. He dreads the notion of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is intensified by the reality he can’t drive and needs Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie never makes either of his characters the clear bad guy.
The couple confront the kind of problems that are inherent in any relationship a decade in. At their core, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these anxieties of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism never feels clumsy or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Conversely, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could function as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the ending sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply turn to your partner and say, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can undertake today.
Together is streaming on Hulu at present.
