We present a challenge for long-term couples who are fans of horror films: Sit down with your significant other and view Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its streaming debut via Hulu. At first glance, it could look like standard body horror, but within Together resides a profound meditation about how we choose to love each other.
An Introductory Film Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together is the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, partners that have been together for ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, the two stars infuse a particular energy to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The narrative begins when Tim and Millie transition from the urban environment to the country for her career. A familiar narrative setup, of course, but that’s largely where the tropes end. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the two fall into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence starts to affect the couple. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying horror experience, interspersing moments of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and presents them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and removed from his support system. He fears the idea of completely losing his individual identity in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie avoids making either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters confront the type of challenges that come with long-term unions after ten years. At their core, they continue to care for one another. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these anxieties of codependency and fully committing to another person, the allegory avoids being clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, some couples having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could function as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the finale inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your other half and state, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
