Consider this a challenge for long-term couples who appreciate horror films: Get comfortable with your partner and view Together. The independent film success of 2025 has now made its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like conventional biological terror, but beneath Together resides a profound examination about our choices in loving our partners.
A Debut Feature Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together is the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for a decade. Married in reality in 2017, the two stars bring a special spark to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The plot commences when the couple relocate from the urban environment to the rural area for her career. A commonly used story element, sure, but that’s primarily where the conventions cease. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the two tumble into an underground cave. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a strange force starts to affect the pair. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past simple connection.
The complete narrative is a methodically building fright fest, blending moments of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes during something grotesque). Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and presents them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is only the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is waning due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and distant from his support system. He dreads the concept of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is amplified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie avoids making either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that arise in any relationship a decade in. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these fears of excessive reliance and fully committing to another person, the symbolism does not come across as hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights serve the other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. It has been said that single viewers have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for staying single. On the other hand, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could function as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the finale inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your other half and state, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can undertake today.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform at present.
