Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate the horror genre: Settle in with your partner and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its online premiere on the Hulu service. On the surface, it might appear like typical body horror, but inside Together exists a deep contemplation about how we choose to love our partners.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for over ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a unique chemistry to their characters, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The narrative commences when the couple move from the urban environment to the rural area for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, of course, but that’s largely where the tropes end. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their new home, a storm hits, and the protagonists tumble into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a strange force begins influencing the pair. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past simple connection.
The complete narrative is a slow burn horror experience, blending elements of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and wraps them up in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is waning due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and removed from his social circle. He is terrified of the concept of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is intensified by the fact he can’t drive and needs Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together avoids making Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
The couple face the sort of issues that are inherent in most partnerships after ten years. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism avoids being hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for staying single. On the other hand, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the ending sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your other half and say, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can experience today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform now.
