Consider this a test for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of horror films: Settle in with your significant other and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 recently had its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it could look like standard biological terror, but inside Together resides a intense contemplation about our choices in loving our partners.
A Debut Feature Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for a decade. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the two stars contribute a particular energy to their characters, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The narrative starts when Millie and Tim relocate from the urban environment to the country for professional reasons. A familiar narrative setup, of course, but that’s primarily where the tropes cease. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their country house, a tempest descends, and the two tumble into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity takes hold of the couple. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a methodically building of scares, blending elements of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) body horror, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and wraps them up in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and far away from his social circle. He is terrified of the idea of completely losing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is amplified by the fact he can’t drive and needs Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together avoids making one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
The couple confront the type of challenges that are inherent in any relationship over a long period. At their core, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these fears of codependency and totally devoting oneself to another person, the symbolism does not come across as clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that single viewers have understood the narrative as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Conversely, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could function as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the finale inspire anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your other half and state, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
