We present a dare for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of horror films: Get comfortable with your significant other and view Together. The 2025 indie hit recently had its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. At first glance, it might appear like conventional physical horror, but inside Together lies a profound examination about the ways we decide to love our partners.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for a decade. Married in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a special spark to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The story starts when Millie and Tim move from the urban environment to the country for Millie’s job. A familiar story element, sure, but that’s primarily where the cliches cease. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists fall into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity takes hold of the couple. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The entire film is a slow burn horror experience, weaving in elements of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but never too gross) body horror, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). The director skillfully blends these components seamlessly and delivers them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and distant from his network of friends. He is terrified of the notion of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together never makes either of his characters the clear bad guy.
The couple confront the kind of problems that are inherent in long-term unions over a long period. At their core, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, offer support, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the metaphor avoids being clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama serve the other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Conversely, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could function as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the ending plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply look at your other half and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu as of this moment.
