Here's a dare for partners in committed relationships who enjoy the horror genre: Sit down with your loved one and view Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its online premiere via Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like standard physical horror, but beneath Together resides a deep contemplation about how we choose to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for over ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars infuse a special spark to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative commences when the couple relocate from the metropolis to the rural area for her career. A familiar plot device, of course, but that’s largely where the conventions end. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their country house, a storm hits, and the two discover an underground cave. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a strange force begins influencing the pair. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a methodically building fright fest, interspersing elements of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes during something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and presents them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and distant from his support system. He fears the notion of completely losing his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is amplified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together avoids making Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie confront the sort of issues that come with any relationship over a long period. At their core, they continue to care for each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these fears of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism avoids being overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama work together in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the ending plant anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your other half and state, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can experience at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform now.
