Consider this a challenge for long-term couples who are fans of the horror genre: Sit down with your partner and view Together. This 2025 indie hit has now made its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like typical biological terror, but beneath Together exists a profound contemplation about the ways we decide to love our partners.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together is the introductory feature for director 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 ten years. Married in real life in 2017, the two stars contribute a special spark to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The narrative starts when Tim and Millie relocate from the big city to the rural area for her career. A somewhat stereotypical story element, admittedly, but that’s largely where the tropes conclude. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim fall into an underground cave. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence begins influencing the pair. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The complete narrative is a slow burn horror experience, blending bits of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but never too gross) physical transformations, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). The director skillfully blends these components seamlessly and wraps them up in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and distant from his network of friends. He dreads the notion of completely losing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is intensified by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he refrains from painting one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Both characters grapple with the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship after ten years. At their core, they continue to care for one another. They still laugh together, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the metaphor avoids being hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights work together in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that single viewers have seen the movie as a powerful case for staying single. Conversely, some couples who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could function as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply look at your significant other and say, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can experience today.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
