Here's a dare for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate horror films: Settle in with your loved one and stream Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its streaming debut on Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like standard biological terror, but beneath Together resides a deep contemplation about our choices in loving one another.
An Introductory Film Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for over ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a special spark to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The story commences when the couple transition from the big city to the rural area for professional reasons. A commonly used narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s largely where the cliches conclude. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their new home, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim tumble into an underground cave. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity starts to affect the duo. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The whole movie is a methodically building fright fest, interspersing bits of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is only the two lead actors, and they masterfully render countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is waning due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his floundering music career inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and distant from his support system. He dreads the concept of completely losing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is amplified by the fact he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in Together avoids making Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Both characters confront the kind of problems that arise in long-term unions a decade in. Fundamentally, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these concerns of excessive reliance and fully committing to another person, the allegory does not come across as clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that single viewers have interpreted the film as a strong argument for staying single. Meanwhile, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could act as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the finale inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply look at your partner and state, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can experience right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
