Here's a dare for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of the horror genre: Sit down with your loved one and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its online premiere on Hulu. Outwardly, it may seem like typical physical horror, but beneath Together resides a deep contemplation about the ways we decide to love one another.
A Debut Feature Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for over ten years. Married in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a particular energy to their roles, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The narrative starts when Millie and Tim transition from the metropolis to the rural area for her career. A somewhat stereotypical story element, sure, but that’s primarily where the conventions conclude. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their country house, a tempest descends, and the protagonists fall into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence takes hold of the duo. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a methodically building fright fest, interspersing bits of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes amidst something disturbing). The director skillfully blends these components neatly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and far away from his network of friends. He dreads the concept of totally forfeiting his sense of self in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together never makes one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Both characters face the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship over a long period. Fundamentally, they still love one another. They still laugh together, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of excessive reliance and fully committing to another person, the allegory does not come across as overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have seen the movie as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could act as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your other half and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can embark on today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu as of this moment.
