We present a test for partners in committed relationships who enjoy horror films: Settle in with your partner and stream Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its online premiere on the Hulu service. At first glance, it may seem like typical biological terror, but inside Together lies a profound contemplation about the ways we decide to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for over ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars infuse a particular energy to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The story begins when the couple relocate from the big city to the countryside for Millie’s job. A familiar story element, sure, but that’s largely where the cliches cease. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the two tumble into an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence begins influencing the pair. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The whole movie is a methodically building horror experience, weaving in bits of dreamlike terrors, gross (but never too gross) body horror, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). The director skillfully blends these components expertly and presents them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and removed from his support system. He dreads the idea of completely losing his individual identity in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he can’t drive and relies on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie never makes either of his characters the obvious villain.
Both characters grapple with the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship a decade in. Fundamentally, they continue to care for each other. They find humor with each other, offer support, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor never feels overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a strong argument for staying single. Meanwhile, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply look at your partner and state, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can experience right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform now.
