Here's a dare for long-term couples who are fans of the horror genre: Settle in with your partner and view Together. The 2025 indie hit recently had its online premiere on Hulu. On the surface, it could look like conventional physical horror, but within Together resides a profound examination about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for ten years. Married in real life in 2017, the actors infuse a special spark to their characters, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The story begins when the couple relocate from the metropolis to the countryside for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical story element, admittedly, but that’s largely where the tropes cease. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim fall into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence starts to affect the couple. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The whole movie is a methodically building of scares, interspersing elements of fever-dream horrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes during something horrific). The director weaves these elements together neatly and presents them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and distant from his social circle. He fears the notion of completely losing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie avoids making Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Both characters grapple with the kind of problems that are inherent in long-term unions over a long period. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to another person, the metaphor does not come across as overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights serve the other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a strong argument for staying single. Conversely, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the ending plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your other half and state, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can undertake today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform now.
