Consider this a dare for partners in committed relationships who are fans of the horror genre: Sit down with your partner and view Together. The independent film success of 2025 has now made its online premiere on Hulu. At first glance, it could look like typical biological terror, but inside Together lies a intense meditation about our choices in loving one another.
An Introductory Film Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It showcases 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 special spark to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The plot begins when Millie and Tim transition from the big city to the rural area for professional reasons. A familiar narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the conventions end. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their new home, a storm hits, and the two discover an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity begins influencing the duo. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past simple connection.
The whole movie is a methodically building horror experience, weaving in moments of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). The director weaves these elements together neatly and delivers them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and removed from his support system. He fears the idea of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in another person. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he refrains from painting one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Both characters face the kind of problems that arise in any relationship a decade in. Fundamentally, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these anxieties of codependency and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama serve the other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that single viewers have interpreted the film as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could function as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply look at your other half and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu at present.
