Here's a dare for partners in committed relationships who are fans of the horror genre: Settle in with your loved one and view Together. This independent film success of 2025 has now made its streaming debut on Hulu. On the surface, it could look like conventional physical horror, but within Together lies a intense meditation about how we choose to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for ten years. Having wed in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a unique chemistry to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The plot begins when Millie and Tim move from the metropolis to the countryside for professional reasons. A commonly used plot device, sure, but that’s mostly where the tropes conclude. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim discover an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a strange force starts to affect the pair. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a methodically building horror experience, interspersing elements of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and presents them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and removed from his support system. He is terrified of the idea of completely losing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is intensified by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie refrains from painting either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Both characters face the sort of issues that are inherent in most partnerships a decade in. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, offer support, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these fears of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to another person, the symbolism avoids being overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have seen the movie as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. Conversely, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could act as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your other half and say, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
