We present a test for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy the horror genre: Settle in with your partner and watch Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. At first glance, it may seem like conventional body horror, but within Together resides a intense meditation about our choices in loving each other.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for over ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the two stars infuse a special spark to their characters, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The story commences when Millie and Tim transition from the big city to the country for Millie’s job. A commonly used plot device, sure, but that’s primarily where the conventions end. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their country house, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim discover an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a strange force takes hold of the pair. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a slow burn fright fest, blending elements of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but never too gross) body horror, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes during something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and far away from his support system. He fears the idea of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he can’t drive and relies on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together refrains from painting either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters confront the kind of problems that arise in most partnerships over a long period. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, offer support, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these fears of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to another person, the allegory never feels hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights work together symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that single viewers have seen the movie as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Conversely, some couples who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could function as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale sow anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your partner and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can embark on today.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu now.
