Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy the horror genre: Settle in with your partner and view Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its online premiere on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it could look like standard physical horror, but beneath Together lies a profound contemplation about the ways we decide to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together is the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for a decade. Having wed in real life in 2017, the two stars bring a unique chemistry to their roles, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The narrative commences when the couple transition from the urban environment to the countryside for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, sure, but that’s largely where the conventions cease. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their country house, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim fall into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence begins influencing the pair. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying fright fest, weaving in elements of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and delivers them in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and far away from his support system. He dreads the notion of completely losing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie avoids making either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie grapple with the sort of issues that come with any relationship a decade in. Deep down, they continue to care for each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the allegory avoids being hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Conversely, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply look at your significant other and say, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
