Consider this a dare for partners in committed relationships who are fans of the horror genre: Sit down with your significant other and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit recently had its online premiere via Hulu. At first glance, it could look like typical body horror, but within Together lies a intense meditation about the ways we decide to love each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for a decade. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the actors contribute a unique chemistry to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The plot commences when Millie and Tim move from the urban environment to the rural area for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the conventions conclude. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their country house, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim tumble into an underground cave. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity starts to affect the duo. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The whole movie is a slow burn fright fest, blending moments of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but never too gross) body horror, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes amidst something disturbing). The director skillfully blends these components expertly and presents them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and far away from his network of friends. He is terrified of the notion of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together refrains from painting Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie face the sort of issues that are inherent in long-term unions a decade in. Deep down, they continue to care for each other. They share moments of joy, offer support, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism avoids being overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights work together symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Conversely, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could act as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your significant other and say, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can embark on right now.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu now.
