Consider this a dare for partners in committed relationships who enjoy the horror genre: Settle in with your loved one and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like conventional physical horror, but inside Together resides a intense contemplation about how we choose to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have been together for over ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, the actors contribute a unique chemistry to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The story starts when Tim and Millie transition from the big city to the country for her career. A somewhat stereotypical story element, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the conventions end. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim discover an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity begins influencing the duo. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The complete narrative is a slow burn horror experience, weaving in moments of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) body horror, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes amidst something horrific). The director skillfully blends these components neatly and delivers them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and far away from his social circle. He dreads the notion of completely losing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is amplified by the reality he can’t drive and needs Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he refrains from painting Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie face the sort of issues that arise in most partnerships after ten years. At their core, they continue to care for each other. They share moments of joy, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these anxieties of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the allegory does not come across as hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. It has been said that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a compelling reason for staying single. On the other hand, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could act as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your partner and state, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can experience today.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu at present.
