Consider this a test for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy the horror genre: Get comfortable with your significant other and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. At first glance, it may seem like standard biological terror, but within Together lies a profound contemplation about how we choose to love our partners.
A Debut Feature Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together represents the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for over ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the actors bring a unique chemistry to their characters, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The plot commences when Millie and Tim relocate from the urban environment to the countryside for professional reasons. A commonly used narrative setup, of course, but that’s primarily where the conventions end. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the two fall into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence starts to affect the duo. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The whole movie is a methodically building fright fest, blending moments of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but tastefully done) body horror, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and presents them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and far away from his social circle. He is terrified of the notion of completely losing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in Together never makes Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
The couple face the type of challenges that are inherent in long-term unions after ten years. Deep down, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these fears of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to another person, the allegory avoids being hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, some couples who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could function as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply look at your partner and state, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can undertake today.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
