Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of the horror genre: Settle in with your partner and view Together. This 2025 indie hit has now made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like typical body horror, but beneath Together lies a profound meditation about our choices in loving our partners.
A Debut Feature Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, partners that have been together for ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, the two stars bring a unique chemistry to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The story begins when the couple transition from the metropolis to the countryside for her career. A somewhat stereotypical story element, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the conventions cease. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the two discover an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity starts to affect the couple. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a methodically building of scares, weaving in bits of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes amidst something horrific). The director orchestrates these parts expertly and wraps them up in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and far away from his social circle. He is terrified of the concept of completely losing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie refrains from painting Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that are inherent in long-term unions over a long period. Fundamentally, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these anxieties of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory does not come across as hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that single viewers have seen the movie as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. On the other hand, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could function as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion sow anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your significant other and say, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can experience today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu at present.
