Consider this a challenge for partners in committed relationships who enjoy horror films: Get comfortable with your loved one and stream Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its streaming debut on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it might appear like typical physical horror, but beneath Together lies a profound examination about how we choose to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for over ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, the two stars bring a special spark to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The narrative commences when Millie and Tim relocate from the metropolis to the rural area for professional reasons. A familiar plot device, of course, but that’s largely where the conventions conclude. 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 trekking near their new home, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim tumble into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity begins influencing the duo. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The whole movie is a slow burn fright fest, weaving in bits of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but never too gross) body horror, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes during something grotesque). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and presents them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and removed from his support system. He is terrified of the concept of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie avoids making Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Both characters grapple with the kind of problems that are inherent in most partnerships a decade in. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these concerns of excessive reliance and fully committing to another person, the symbolism never feels hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal work together symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. It has been said that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a strong argument for staying single. Meanwhile, 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 interpretation could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the ending inspire anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your partner and say, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can undertake right now.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu now.
