We present a challenge for partners in committed relationships who enjoy horror films: Get comfortable with your partner and view Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its online premiere on the Hulu service. On the surface, it might appear like typical physical horror, but inside Together lies a deep contemplation about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Debut Feature Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a particular energy to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The plot starts when Millie and Tim relocate from the metropolis to the country for her career. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, sure, but that’s primarily where the cliches cease. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the two discover an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity starts to affect the duo. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying fright fest, weaving in elements of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes during something disturbing). The director weaves these elements together neatly and wraps them up in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, 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 emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and far away from his social circle. He fears the notion of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is amplified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he refrains from painting either of his characters the obvious villain.
Both characters confront the sort of issues that come with any relationship a decade in. Fundamentally, they continue to care for each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these anxieties of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the allegory never feels hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have understood the narrative as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, some couples having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply look at your significant other and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can embark on today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform now.
