We present a dare for partners in committed relationships who are fans of horror films: Sit down with your partner and stream Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its online premiere on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it could look like typical physical horror, but beneath Together exists a profound contemplation about our choices in loving one another.
A Debut Feature Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for ten years. Having wed in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a special spark to their characters, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The plot begins when Millie and Tim move from the urban environment to the countryside for her career. A somewhat stereotypical story element, admittedly, but that’s largely where the tropes conclude. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim tumble into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity begins influencing the couple. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a methodically building horror experience, blending moments of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes during something horrific). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and presents them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is only the two lead actors, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and removed from his network of friends. He is terrified of the idea of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie avoids making Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie grapple with the type of challenges that arise in any relationship a decade in. At their core, they still love one another. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these concerns of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to another person, the allegory never feels clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could act as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the ending inspire anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your other half and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can embark on right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu now.
