Here's a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of horror films: Sit down with your significant other and view Together. This 2025 indie hit just made its online premiere on Hulu. Outwardly, it may seem like standard physical horror, but within Together lies a intense contemplation about our choices in loving our partners.
A Directorial Debut Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for a decade. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the two stars bring a unique chemistry to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The story starts when Millie and Tim transition from the metropolis to the countryside for Millie’s job. A commonly used narrative setup, of course, but that’s largely where the cliches cease. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim fall into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence takes hold of the pair. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying fright fest, weaving in elements of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but never too gross) body horror, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and removed from his social circle. He dreads the concept of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together avoids making one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Both characters confront the type of challenges that arise in any relationship over a long period. At their core, they continue to care for each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to another person, the symbolism never feels hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights work together symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. It has been said that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a powerful case for staying single. Meanwhile, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could function as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the ending plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply look at your other half and state, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
