Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of the horror genre: Settle in with your loved one and stream Together. This 2025 indie hit just made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like conventional physical horror, but inside Together lies a profound contemplation about our choices in loving our partners.
An Introductory Film Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for ten years. Married in reality in 2017, the two stars bring a unique chemistry to their characters, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The plot begins when Millie and Tim relocate from the metropolis to the country for her career. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, sure, but that’s mostly where the conventions cease. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the two fall into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence begins influencing the duo. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past simple connection.
The entire film is a slow burn of scares, interspersing elements of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but never too gross) body horror, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). The director skillfully blends these components seamlessly and delivers them in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is suffering due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and far away from his social circle. He fears the idea of completely losing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision is that he never makes either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters face the sort of issues that arise in most partnerships over a long period. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these concerns of codependency and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the allegory never feels overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that single viewers have understood the narrative as a powerful case for staying single. On the other hand, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them make up.
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 a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply look at your partner and state, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can embark on today.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu at present.
