Here's a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate horror films: Sit down with your partner and view Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its streaming debut on Hulu. At first glance, it could look like typical biological terror, but within Together resides a profound contemplation about how we choose to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together represents the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have been together for over ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the actors bring a unique chemistry to their roles, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The narrative starts when Millie and Tim transition from the metropolis to the countryside for professional reasons. A commonly used story element, sure, but that’s primarily where the cliches end. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their new home, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim tumble into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity starts to affect the duo. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying horror experience, blending bits of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes amidst something horrific). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and presents them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they masterfully render countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and far away from his support system. He is terrified of the notion of totally forfeiting his sense of self in his partner. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he can’t drive and relies on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie refrains from painting Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Both characters grapple with the sort of issues that arise in any relationship after ten years. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these fears of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the allegory avoids being hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a strong argument for staying single. Meanwhile, some couples having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could function as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply look at your partner and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can embark on today.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu at present.
