Here's a test for long-term couples who enjoy horror films: Settle in with your significant other and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its online premiere on the Hulu service. On the surface, it may seem like conventional body horror, but beneath Together resides a profound examination about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for a decade. Married in real life in 2017, the actors bring a unique chemistry to their roles, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The story starts when the couple transition from the urban environment to the country for Millie’s job. A familiar plot device, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the conventions end. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their new home, a storm hits, and the two fall into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a strange force takes hold of the pair. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a slow burn horror experience, blending moments of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but tastefully done) body horror, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). The director skillfully blends these components expertly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is waning due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and distant from his social circle. He dreads the idea of totally forfeiting his individual identity in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in Together avoids making either of his characters the obvious villain.
Both characters confront the type of challenges that arise in long-term unions a decade in. At their core, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these fears of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the allegory does not come across as hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for staying single. Conversely, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could act as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the ending sow anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your partner and say, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
