Consider this a dare for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of the horror genre: Sit down 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. On the surface, it might appear like typical body horror, but beneath Together lies a deep meditation about the ways we decide to love each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the two stars contribute a particular energy to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative commences when Tim and Millie move from the urban environment to the countryside for her career. A commonly used plot device, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the cliches conclude. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their country house, a tempest descends, and the two discover an underground cave. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a strange force starts to affect the couple. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The entire film is a slow burn horror experience, interspersing elements of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes amidst something horrific). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and presents them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is only the two lead actors, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and distant from his support system. He is terrified of the idea of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together refrains from painting Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie confront the kind of problems that come with most partnerships over a long period. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these concerns of codependency and fully committing to another person, the metaphor does not come across as hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama work together symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that single viewers have understood the narrative as a strong argument for staying single. Conversely, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the ending sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply look at your partner and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can experience right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform at present.
