We present a test for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy horror films: Get comfortable with your significant other and watch Together. This independent film success of 2025 has now made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. At first glance, it could look like typical body horror, but inside Together exists a deep examination about how we choose to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Relationship Dynamics
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 been together for a decade. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the actors infuse a particular energy to their roles, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The plot starts when Millie and Tim move from the big city to the rural area for Millie’s job. A commonly used plot device, of course, but that’s largely where the tropes conclude. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the two fall into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence takes hold of the duo. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past simple connection.
The whole movie is a methodically building horror experience, blending elements of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is only the two lead actors, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and removed from his support system. He dreads the notion of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie refrains from painting one partner or the other the obvious villain.
The couple confront the type of challenges that come with any relationship after ten years. Deep down, they still love each other. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these anxieties of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to another person, the allegory avoids being clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, certain partners having disagreements found that the film actually helped them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the ending inspire anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply look at your significant other and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can experience right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu now.
