We present a dare for partners in committed relationships who enjoy horror films: Get comfortable with your partner and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit recently had its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like standard physical horror, but inside Together lies a profound contemplation about how we choose to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together marks the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, partners that have remained a couple for ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the actors infuse a special spark to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The plot begins when Millie and Tim transition from the metropolis to the rural area for professional reasons. A commonly used story element, sure, but that’s largely where the conventions conclude. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists fall into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence begins influencing the pair. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The entire film is a methodically building of scares, weaving in moments of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and delivers them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and removed from his network of friends. He fears the notion of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together refrains from painting Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
The couple confront the sort of issues that arise in any relationship after ten years. Deep down, they still love one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these fears of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory does not come across as clumsy or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama serve the other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a strong argument for staying single. On the other hand, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could act as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply look at your other half and say, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can experience today.
Together is streaming on Hulu at present.
