Consider this a test for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate horror films: Sit down with your significant other and watch Together. This 2025 indie hit just made its online premiere on Hulu. At first glance, it could look like conventional body horror, but inside Together resides a deep contemplation about our choices in loving one another.
A Debut Feature Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the actors bring a special spark to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The narrative commences when the couple transition from the urban environment to the countryside for professional reasons. A commonly used plot device, sure, but that’s primarily where the cliches cease. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the two fall into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence takes hold of the duo. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The entire film is a methodically building fright fest, weaving in moments of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but tastefully done) body horror, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes amidst something disturbing). The director weaves these elements together seamlessly and presents them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and distant from his network of friends. He dreads the concept of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is intensified by the fact he can’t drive and relies on Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision is that he avoids making Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
The couple face the kind of problems that are inherent in most partnerships after ten years. At their core, they still love each other. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these fears of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could function as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the finale inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your significant other and state, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can undertake today.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform now.
