Consider this a dare for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of horror films: Sit down 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 beneath Together lies a profound contemplation about the ways we decide to love one another.
An Introductory Film Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together represents the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the two stars bring a unique chemistry to their roles, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The story starts when Millie and Tim move from the big city to the country for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical story element, of course, but that’s primarily where the conventions cease. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim discover an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity begins influencing the couple. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The whole movie is a methodically building horror experience, interspersing elements of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). The director skillfully blends these components expertly and wraps them up in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and removed from his support system. He fears the idea of totally forfeiting his sense of self in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he refrains from painting either of his characters the obvious villain.
The couple grapple with the sort of issues that come with any relationship a decade in. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of codependency and totally devoting oneself to another person, the allegory never feels overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights work together in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. It has been said that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a powerful case for remaining unattached. On the other hand, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your other half and state, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform at present.
