We present a test for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of the horror genre: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its online premiere on Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like typical biological terror, but inside Together resides a deep meditation about our choices in loving one another.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for over ten years. Having wed in actuality in 2017, the actors infuse a unique chemistry to their characters, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The narrative begins when the couple relocate from the metropolis to the rural area for her career. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s mostly where the cliches end. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the protagonists tumble into an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence begins influencing the pair. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a slow burn horror experience, interspersing elements of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes during something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and wraps them up in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and distant from his network of friends. He dreads the concept of completely losing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie avoids making one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie face the type of challenges that arise in any relationship over a long period. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and open up 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 symbolize these anxieties of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor avoids being hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights serve the other symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that single viewers have understood the narrative as a strong argument for staying single. On the other hand, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could function as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply look at your significant other and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can embark on right now.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
