We present a dare for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy the horror genre: Settle in with your partner and stream Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its online premiere via Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like typical physical horror, but beneath Together exists a profound contemplation about how we choose to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together represents the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for ten years. Married in reality in 2017, the two stars bring a unique chemistry to their characters, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The plot commences when Tim and Millie relocate from the big city to the rural area for her career. A familiar plot device, sure, but that’s largely where the conventions end. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the two discover an underground cave. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity begins influencing the duo. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a slow burn fright fest, weaving in elements of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes amidst something horrific). Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and delivers them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is only the two lead actors, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and removed from his social circle. He fears the notion of completely losing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he never makes one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Both characters grapple with the kind of problems that come with most partnerships a decade in. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these concerns of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to another person, the metaphor does not come across as clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights serve the other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for staying single. On the other hand, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply turn to your significant other and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform now.
