Consider this a test for long-term couples who enjoy horror films: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. On the surface, it could look like typical body horror, but beneath Together lies a intense contemplation about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Debut Feature Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the two stars infuse a unique chemistry to their characters, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The story commences when Millie and Tim move from the big city to the country for her career. A familiar story element, sure, but that’s mostly where the cliches end. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the two tumble into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a strange force starts to affect the pair. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying fright fest, weaving in elements of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is waning due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and distant from his social circle. He dreads the idea of totally forfeiting his sense of self in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision is that he avoids making either of his characters the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie grapple with the type of challenges that arise in most partnerships a decade in. At their core, they still love each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these concerns of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor does not come across as clumsy or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama serve the other symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that single viewers have understood the narrative as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could act as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your partner and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can experience right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform now.
