We present a test for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate 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 could look like typical body horror, but inside Together resides a profound contemplation about how we choose to love our partners.
A Debut Feature Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, partners that have been together for ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a particular energy to their characters, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The story starts when the couple transition from the urban environment to the countryside for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s largely where the conventions cease. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the two tumble into an underground cave. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence starts to affect the duo. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying fright fest, interspersing elements of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes during something disturbing). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and delivers them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and distant from his social circle. He dreads the idea of totally forfeiting his sense of self in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together avoids making one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
The couple face the kind of problems that arise in any relationship over a long period. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these fears of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to another person, the metaphor never feels hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a powerful case for remaining unattached. On the other hand, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film actually helped them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could act as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your other half and say, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can undertake right now.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu at present.
