Consider this a challenge for partners in committed relationships who appreciate horror films: Get comfortable with your significant other and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its online premiere on the Hulu service. At first glance, it could look like typical body horror, but within Together lies a intense meditation about our choices in loving one another.
An Introductory Film Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for ten years. Having wed in actuality in 2017, the actors contribute a unique chemistry to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The story starts when Millie and Tim relocate from the metropolis to the countryside for Millie’s job. A familiar narrative setup, sure, but that’s largely where the tropes end. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their new home, a storm hits, and the two discover an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity takes hold of the duo. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying of scares, interspersing bits of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes during something horrific). Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and presents them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and distant from his support system. He fears the concept of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he can’t drive and relies on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie refrains from painting either of his characters the clear bad guy.
The couple confront the type of challenges that arise in most partnerships over a long period. At their core, they continue to care for each other. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these fears of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor never feels overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that single viewers have seen the movie as a strong argument for staying single. Conversely, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the ending plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your partner and utter, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can undertake today.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu now.
