We present a challenge for partners in committed relationships who enjoy horror films: Settle in with your significant other and stream Together. This 2025 indie hit just made its streaming debut on Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like typical biological terror, but beneath Together exists a deep contemplation about our choices in loving our partners.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have been together for ten years. Married in real life in 2017, the actors bring a unique chemistry to their roles, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The narrative starts when Tim and Millie transition from the big city to the countryside for her career. A somewhat stereotypical story element, sure, but that’s primarily where the tropes end. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists discover an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity takes hold of the pair. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past simple connection.
The entire film is a methodically building of scares, blending moments of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but tastefully done) body horror, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes during something disturbing). Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and delivers them in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and far away from his social circle. He fears the notion of completely losing his individual identity in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he never makes Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
The couple confront the type of challenges that are inherent in most partnerships over a long period. Deep down, they continue to care for each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these anxieties of codependency and fully committing to another person, the symbolism avoids being clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. It has been said that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Conversely, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film actually helped them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply turn to your significant other and state, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can experience right now.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu now.
