We present a test for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy the horror genre: Settle in with your loved one and stream Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. On the surface, it could look like conventional body horror, but within Together exists a deep contemplation about the ways we decide to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a particular energy to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The story starts when the couple move from the metropolis to the country for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the conventions conclude. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their country house, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim discover an underground cave. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity begins influencing the couple. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a methodically building of scares, blending elements of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but never too gross) body horror, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes during something horrific). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and removed from his social circle. He dreads the notion of completely losing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is amplified by the reality he can’t drive and needs Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie never makes either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie face the type of challenges that are inherent in most partnerships after ten years. At their core, they continue to care for each other. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these fears of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor avoids being hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a strong argument for staying single. Meanwhile, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could act as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the finale plant anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply look at your significant other and state, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can undertake right now.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu at present.
