Consider this a challenge for long-term couples who are fans of horror films: Settle in with your significant other and stream Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. At first glance, it could look like standard biological terror, but within Together resides a profound contemplation about the ways we decide to love our partners.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for over ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, the actors contribute a unique chemistry to their characters, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The plot begins when Tim and Millie move from the big city to the countryside for professional reasons. A familiar narrative setup, sure, but that’s largely where the conventions end. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the two fall into an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a strange force starts to affect the duo. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a slow burn horror experience, weaving in moments of dreamlike terrors, gross (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and wraps them up in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is waning due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and distant from his support system. He fears the notion of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he avoids making either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that are inherent in long-term unions over a long period. Fundamentally, they still love one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism avoids being overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights work together symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have understood the narrative as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could function as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your partner and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can embark on today.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu at present.
