Consider this a test for long-term couples who are fans of the horror genre: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. At first glance, it could look like standard physical horror, but beneath Together resides a intense contemplation about our choices in loving one another.
An Introductory Film Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for a decade. Married in real life in 2017, the actors contribute a particular energy to their characters, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The story begins when the couple relocate from the big city to the rural area for her career. A familiar story element, of course, but that’s mostly where the cliches cease. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their new home, a storm hits, and the two tumble into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence starts to affect the pair. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past simple connection.
The whole movie is a methodically building fright fest, interspersing elements of dreamlike terrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes amidst something disturbing). The director weaves these elements together seamlessly and presents them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is only the two lead actors, and they deftly portray countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and removed from his social circle. He fears the concept of totally forfeiting his sense of self in another person. This fear is amplified by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision is that he refrains from painting one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Both characters grapple with the kind of problems that arise in long-term unions after ten years. Fundamentally, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, offer support, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to another person, the metaphor never feels overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. It has been said that single viewers have seen the movie as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. Conversely, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the finale inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply look at your partner and say, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can embark on today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu now.
