Here's a test for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of horror films: Settle in with your loved one and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its online premiere on Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like typical biological terror, but inside Together exists a intense meditation about how we choose to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have been together for ten years. Married in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a special spark to their roles, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The story starts when the couple move from the metropolis to the rural area for Millie’s job. A familiar story element, of course, but that’s largely where the tropes cease. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the two tumble into an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity takes hold of the duo. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The entire film is a slow burn of scares, blending moments of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but never too gross) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes amidst something horrific). Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and presents them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and removed from his support system. He fears the idea of totally forfeiting his individual identity in Millie. This fear is amplified by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision is that he avoids making one partner or the other the obvious villain.
The couple face the type of challenges that arise in most partnerships after ten years. Deep down, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these concerns of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to another person, the metaphor avoids being hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that single viewers have interpreted the film as a strong argument for staying single. On the other hand, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could act as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the finale plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your partner and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can embark on right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu now.
