We present a test for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy horror films: Settle in with your loved one and view Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. At first glance, it might appear like standard physical horror, but within Together resides a profound contemplation about how we choose to love our partners.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, the actors contribute a particular energy to their roles, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The story starts when the couple move from the urban environment to the countryside for professional reasons. A commonly used plot device, of course, but that’s largely where the conventions end. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their new home, a storm hits, and the protagonists discover an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity takes hold of the couple. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying of scares, weaving in bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes during something disturbing). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and presents them in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and removed from his social circle. He is terrified of the notion of totally forfeiting his sense of self in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in Together never makes either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie confront the type of challenges that are inherent in any relationship over a long period. At their core, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these concerns of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor avoids being overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a powerful case for staying single. On the other hand, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could function as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale sow anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply look at your other half and state, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can experience right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
