Here's a test for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate horror films: Settle in with your significant other and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit recently had its streaming debut on the Hulu service. On the surface, it may seem like typical body horror, but beneath Together exists a deep contemplation about how we choose to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars bring a unique chemistry to their characters, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The plot starts when Millie and Tim relocate from the big city to the rural area for professional reasons. A familiar narrative setup, of course, but that’s mostly where the tropes conclude. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the two discover an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity starts to affect the duo. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying horror experience, blending bits of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes during something disturbing). The director orchestrates these parts neatly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and distant from his network of friends. He dreads the notion of completely losing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he never makes Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie face the type of challenges that come with any relationship after ten years. At their core, they still love one another. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of codependency and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the metaphor does not come across as clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama serve the other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that single viewers have seen the movie as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, some couples experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the ending sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your significant other and state, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can embark on today.
Together is streaming on Hulu now.
