Here's a challenge for long-term couples who enjoy the horror genre: Sit down with your significant other and view Together. This 2025 indie hit just made its online premiere on the Hulu service. At first glance, it could look like conventional physical horror, but beneath Together lies a deep meditation about how we choose to love our partners.
A Directorial Debut Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together represents the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for a decade. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the actors bring a particular energy to their characters, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The narrative commences when Tim and Millie transition from the metropolis to the rural area for her career. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, of course, but that’s mostly where the tropes end. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim discover an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence takes hold of the duo. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The whole movie is a methodically building fright fest, blending moments of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) body horror, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes amidst something horrific). The director skillfully blends these components seamlessly and presents them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is only the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his floundering music career inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and distant from his social circle. He is terrified of the notion of completely losing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is intensified by the reality he can’t drive and needs Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie never makes either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Both characters grapple with the sort of issues that come with any relationship over a long period. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor avoids being overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. Conversely, certain partners having disagreements found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could act as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion plant anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply look at your significant other and state, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform now.
