Here's a test for partners in committed relationships who are fans of the horror genre: Sit down with your significant other and view Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like conventional biological terror, but within Together exists a profound meditation about how we choose to love one another.
A Debut Feature Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for over ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the actors infuse a particular energy to their roles, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The narrative commences when Millie and Tim transition from the urban environment to the rural area for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical story element, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the cliches cease. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim fall into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity begins influencing the couple. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past simple connection.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying horror experience, interspersing bits of dreamlike terrors, gross (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and wraps them up in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and distant from his network of friends. He dreads the concept of completely losing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in Together never makes one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Both characters grapple with the sort of issues that arise in long-term unions a decade in. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these concerns of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the metaphor does not come across as clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have seen the movie as a powerful case for staying single. Conversely, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could act as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the ending inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your partner and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can experience today.
Together is streaming on Hulu as of this moment.
