We present a test for partners in committed relationships who enjoy the horror genre: Sit down with your significant other and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. On the surface, it might appear like typical body horror, but beneath Together resides a deep contemplation about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Debut Feature Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have been together for over ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the two stars infuse a special spark to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The plot starts when Tim and Millie move from the metropolis to the country for her career. A somewhat stereotypical story element, of course, but that’s mostly where the tropes conclude. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists fall into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence takes hold of the pair. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past simple connection.
The complete narrative is a methodically building fright fest, blending bits of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and delivers them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and far away from his network of friends. He fears the idea of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he can’t drive and needs Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he avoids making Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie face the sort of issues that come with any relationship after ten years. Fundamentally, they have affection for each other. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for staying single. On the other hand, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could function as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending inspire anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your significant other and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can experience at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu at present.
