Consider this a challenge for partners in committed relationships who appreciate horror films: Get comfortable with your loved one and watch Together. This independent film success of 2025 has now made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. At first glance, it might appear like standard biological terror, but within Together lies a profound contemplation about the ways we decide to love our partners.
A Directorial Debut Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have been together for ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, the actors contribute a particular energy to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The narrative begins when Millie and Tim transition from the metropolis to the countryside for Millie’s job. A commonly used narrative setup, of course, but that’s primarily where the tropes end. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the two tumble into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a strange force starts to affect the duo. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying horror experience, interspersing elements of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but never too gross) physical transformations, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and delivers them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and removed from his social circle. He fears the notion of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie refrains from painting Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
The couple grapple with the sort of issues that come with long-term unions a decade in. Fundamentally, they still love one another. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these fears of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to another person, the symbolism never feels clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Conversely, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your other half and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can embark on right now.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
