Here's a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate the horror genre: Sit down with your loved one and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit recently had its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like standard body horror, but within Together lies a profound contemplation about how we choose to love each other.
An Introductory Film Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together represents the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for ten years. Having wed in actuality in 2017, the two stars contribute a particular energy to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The narrative starts when the couple relocate from the big city to the rural area for her career. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, sure, but that’s largely where the tropes end. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the two tumble into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity begins influencing the duo. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying fright fest, weaving in elements of dreamlike terrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes during something grotesque). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and wraps them up in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and distant from his support system. He dreads the concept of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is amplified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together never makes one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Both characters face the kind of problems that arise in long-term unions over a long period. Deep down, they still love each other. They find humor with each other, offer support, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these fears of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism avoids being hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could act as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the finale sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your other half and state, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can embark on today.
Together is streaming on Hulu at present.
