Consider this a test for long-term couples who are fans of horror films: Settle in with your significant other and watch Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its online premiere on Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like conventional body horror, but within Together lies a intense examination about our choices in loving one another.
An Introductory Film Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have remained a couple for ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a special spark to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The plot starts when Millie and Tim relocate from the big city to the country for Millie’s job. A familiar narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s largely where the conventions conclude. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists discover an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity starts to affect the couple. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a slow burn of scares, blending elements of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and delivers them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and distant from his support system. He is terrified of the notion of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in another person. This fear is amplified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together never makes Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie grapple with the type of challenges that are inherent in any relationship over a long period. At their core, they continue to care for each other. They still laugh together, offer support, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these concerns of codependency and totally devoting oneself to another person, the allegory does not come across as hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a strong argument for staying single. Meanwhile, some couples having disagreements found that the film actually helped them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could function as a revealing measure 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 Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your partner and state, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can experience right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
