We present a challenge for partners in committed relationships who are fans of the horror genre: Settle in with your loved one and view Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like standard biological terror, but inside Together resides a profound contemplation about how we choose to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together is the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for a decade. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the actors infuse a special spark to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The narrative begins when Millie and Tim transition from the urban environment to the country for her career. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, of course, but that’s mostly where the conventions conclude. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the protagonists fall into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a strange force takes hold of the duo. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The entire film is a slow burn of scares, interspersing moments of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and removed from his support system. He is terrified of the notion of completely losing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie never makes either of his characters the obvious villain.
The couple grapple with the type of challenges that come with any relationship a decade in. Deep down, they continue to care for one another. They share moments of joy, offer support, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of codependency and fully committing to another person, the metaphor never feels hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights serve the other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a powerful case for remaining unattached. On the other hand, some couples having disagreements found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your other half and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can experience right now.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
