We present a challenge for partners in committed relationships who are fans of horror films: Sit down with your significant other and view Together. The 2025 indie hit recently had its streaming debut on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it may seem like standard biological terror, but within Together resides a profound meditation about the ways we decide to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the actors infuse a unique chemistry to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The story starts when the couple transition from the big city to the countryside for Millie’s job. A familiar plot device, of course, but that’s primarily where the cliches conclude. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim fall into an underground cave. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a strange force begins influencing the duo. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The entire film is a slow burn of scares, blending elements of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes during something horrific). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and delivers them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is suffering due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his floundering music career inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and removed from his social circle. He dreads the notion of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together avoids making either of his characters the clear bad guy.
The couple grapple with the type of challenges that arise in most partnerships a decade in. At their core, they still love one another. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these concerns of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that single viewers have interpreted the film as a strong argument for staying single. Meanwhile, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could function as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your partner and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can experience right now.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
