Consider this a test for partners in committed relationships who appreciate horror films: Settle in with your partner and view Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its streaming debut on Hulu. At first glance, it could look like typical physical horror, but beneath Together resides a profound contemplation about how we choose to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together marks the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for over ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a particular energy to their roles, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The plot commences when Tim and Millie relocate from the big city to the countryside for her career. A commonly used narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the tropes end. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the two discover an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity takes hold of the duo. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The whole movie is a methodically building fright fest, weaving in bits of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and delivers them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and removed from his social circle. He fears the concept of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is intensified by the fact he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie avoids making Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie grapple with the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship a decade in. Fundamentally, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, offer support, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these concerns of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor never feels hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a strong argument for remaining unattached. On the other hand, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your other half and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can experience today.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
