Consider this a dare for long-term couples who are fans of the horror genre: Settle in 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 could look like typical body horror, but within Together exists a deep contemplation about our choices in loving our partners.
A Debut Feature Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for ten years. Married in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a particular energy to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative starts when Tim and Millie relocate from the big city to the countryside for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s primarily where the cliches cease. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists tumble into an underground cave. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence takes hold of the pair. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a methodically building of scares, interspersing elements of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes amidst something disturbing). The director weaves these elements together seamlessly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is suffering due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and removed from his social circle. He is terrified of the notion of completely losing his sense of self in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he can’t drive and needs Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together avoids making either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie grapple with the kind of problems that are inherent in most partnerships after ten years. Deep down, they still love each other. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism does not come across as overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Conversely, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could function as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending inspire anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your other half and state, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu as of this moment.
