Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy horror films: Sit down with your significant other and watch Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it may seem like standard body horror, but within Together lies a intense examination about our choices in loving each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together marks the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for a decade. United in marriage in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a special spark to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative starts when Tim and Millie transition from the urban environment to the rural area for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical story element, sure, but that’s primarily where the cliches end. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their country house, a tempest descends, and the two discover an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence begins influencing the pair. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The whole movie is a slow burn fright fest, interspersing elements of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes during something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and presents them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and distant from his social circle. He is terrified of the notion of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is intensified by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie avoids making one partner or the other the obvious villain.
The couple confront the type of challenges that arise in any relationship a decade in. Fundamentally, they continue to care for each other. They share moments of joy, offer support, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these concerns of codependency and totally devoting oneself to another person, the metaphor avoids being hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, some couples having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could act as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the ending plant anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply turn to your partner and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can experience today.
Together is streaming on Hulu at present.
