Consider this a test for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy horror films: Settle in with your partner and watch Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. At first glance, it might appear like typical physical horror, but within Together resides a profound examination about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Debut Feature Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for over ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, the two stars bring a special spark to their roles, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The plot commences when Tim and Millie relocate from the urban environment to the country for Millie’s job. A commonly used narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the tropes cease. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the protagonists fall into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence takes hold of the couple. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a slow burn horror experience, blending moments of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes during something grotesque). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is waning due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and far away from his network of friends. He is terrified of the idea of completely losing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in Together never makes either of his characters the definite antagonist.
The couple confront the type of challenges that arise in most partnerships over a long period. Deep down, they continue to care for each other. They find humor with each other, offer support, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these fears of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to another person, the symbolism does not come across as hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate 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 make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could function as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply look at your other half and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can undertake right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu as of this moment.
