Consider this a dare for partners in committed relationships who enjoy horror films: Settle in with your partner and stream Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its online premiere on the Hulu service. At first glance, it may seem like standard biological terror, but inside Together exists a deep meditation about the ways we decide to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together represents the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have been together for ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, the two stars infuse a special spark to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The story begins when Tim and Millie move from the urban environment to the rural area for professional reasons. A commonly used narrative setup, of course, but that’s primarily where the tropes cease. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the protagonists discover an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity starts to affect the pair. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a methodically building horror experience, blending elements of dreamlike terrors, gross (but never too gross) body horror, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). The director orchestrates these parts neatly and wraps them up in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and far away from his social circle. He dreads the notion of completely losing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he can’t drive and needs Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie refrains from painting either of his characters the obvious villain.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that are inherent in long-term unions after ten years. Deep down, they still love one another. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor does not come across as overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have interpreted the film as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could act as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the ending sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your other half and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can embark on today.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu at present.
