Here's a test for partners in committed relationships who enjoy horror films: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. This independent film success of 2025 recently had its streaming debut via Hulu. Outwardly, it may seem like standard biological terror, but within Together resides a intense contemplation about our choices in loving each other.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have been together for over ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the actors bring a particular energy to their roles, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The story commences when Millie and Tim move from the metropolis to the countryside for her career. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, sure, but that’s mostly where the tropes conclude. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim tumble into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence takes hold of the pair. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past simple connection.
The entire film is a methodically building of scares, weaving in elements of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but tastefully done) body horror, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes during something grotesque). Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and delivers them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and far away from his network of friends. He dreads the idea of totally forfeiting his sense of self in Millie. This fear is amplified by the reality he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he avoids making Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Both characters grapple with the kind of problems that arise in any relationship a decade in. Deep down, they still love one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to another person, the metaphor does not come across as overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama work together symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, 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 understood the narrative as a compelling reason for staying single. Meanwhile, some couples having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the ending sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your partner and state, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform at present.
