We present a test for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate the horror genre: Settle in with your partner and stream Together. This 2025 indie hit has now made its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like standard physical horror, but beneath Together exists a deep meditation about our choices in loving our partners.
A Directorial Debut Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for over ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, the actors contribute a special spark to their roles, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The narrative begins when Millie and Tim transition from the metropolis to the rural area for Millie’s job. A commonly used narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the cliches end. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the two tumble into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence begins influencing the pair. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The entire film is a methodically building fright fest, weaving in bits of dreamlike terrors, gross (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes amidst something horrific). The director skillfully blends these components neatly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and distant from his network of friends. He is terrified of the idea of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he can’t drive and relies on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie never makes one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie grapple with the type of challenges that are inherent in most partnerships a decade in. At their core, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these fears of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to another person, the symbolism never feels overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending sow anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your significant other and state, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu now.
