Consider this a challenge for partners in committed relationships who appreciate the horror genre: Settle in with your partner and view Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its online premiere on the Hulu service. At first glance, it may seem like typical body horror, but within Together resides a intense meditation about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the two stars infuse a unique chemistry to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The story starts when Millie and Tim move from the urban environment to the rural area for Millie’s job. A familiar plot device, of course, but that’s mostly where the cliches cease. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the two fall into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence starts to affect the pair. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The whole movie is a methodically building horror experience, weaving in moments of dreamlike terrors, gross (but tastefully done) body horror, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes during something horrific). Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and distant from his network of friends. He is terrified of the notion of totally forfeiting his individual identity in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he can’t drive and needs Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie never makes either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie grapple with the type of challenges that come with most partnerships a decade in. Deep down, they continue to care for each other. They share moments of joy, offer support, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these concerns of codependency and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the metaphor avoids being clumsy or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal work together symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, some couples experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could function as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply turn to your other half and say, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can embark on right now.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu at present.
