Here's a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate horror films: Settle in with your partner and view Together. This independent film success of 2025 recently had its online premiere on the Hulu service. On the surface, it may seem like conventional physical horror, but beneath Together exists a intense meditation about the ways we decide to love each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, partners that have been together for over ten years. Married in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a particular energy to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The story begins when the couple relocate from the urban environment to the rural area for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the tropes cease. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim discover an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a strange force starts to affect the duo. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying horror experience, weaving in elements of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes during something grotesque). The director weaves these elements together seamlessly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and far away from his network of friends. He is terrified of the idea of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in another person. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie never makes Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
The couple face the type of challenges that are inherent in long-term unions over a long period. Deep down, they still love one another. They still laugh together, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to another person, the allegory avoids being hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion plant anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your other half and say, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can experience right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform now.
