We present a challenge for partners in committed relationships who appreciate horror films: Sit down with your significant other and watch Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its online premiere via Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like conventional physical horror, but within Together lies a deep contemplation about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together represents the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, the actors infuse a unique chemistry to their roles, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The story commences when Tim and Millie transition from the big city to the rural area for her career. A somewhat stereotypical story element, sure, but that’s largely where the tropes conclude. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim tumble into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a strange force begins influencing the pair. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a methodically building fright fest, weaving in elements of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes during something disturbing). Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and far away from his social circle. He is terrified of the notion of totally forfeiting his sense of self in his partner. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie never makes Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
The couple grapple with the kind of problems that come with most partnerships over a long period. At their core, they continue to care for each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to another person, the symbolism does not come across as hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for staying single. Meanwhile, some couples having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the ending plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your partner and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can embark on right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform at present.
