Consider this a test for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy the horror genre: Settle in with your loved one and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit recently had its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like typical body horror, but within Together resides a profound contemplation about our choices in loving one another.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for a decade. Married in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a unique chemistry to their characters, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The plot begins when the couple relocate from the urban environment to the countryside for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the conventions cease. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the two fall into an underground cave. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity begins influencing the couple. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying of scares, interspersing moments of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but never too gross) body horror, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and wraps them up in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his floundering music career inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and removed from his social circle. He is terrified of the concept of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is amplified by the fact he can’t drive and relies on Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision in Together refrains from painting Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
The couple confront the type of challenges that come with any relationship over a long period. Deep down, they continue to care for each other. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these concerns of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism avoids being hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. Conversely, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the finale sow anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply look at your other half and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can experience right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform now.
