Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy horror films: Settle in with your loved one and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like typical physical horror, but inside Together lies a deep examination about our choices in loving our partners.
A Debut Feature Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for over ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, the actors infuse a particular energy to their roles, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The story starts when Millie and Tim relocate from the metropolis to the countryside for her career. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, sure, but that’s mostly where the conventions end. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their new home, a storm hits, and the two tumble into an underground cave. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity starts to affect the pair. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The whole movie is a methodically building of scares, weaving in bits of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes amidst something horrific). The director orchestrates these parts expertly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and removed from his social circle. He is terrified of the concept of totally forfeiting his sense of self in his partner. This fear is amplified by the reality he can’t drive and needs Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie refrains from painting one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie grapple with the kind of problems that come with most partnerships after ten years. At their core, they have affection for one another. They share moments of joy, offer support, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of codependency and fully committing to another person, the symbolism never feels hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a powerful case for staying single. On the other hand, some couples having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could function as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply look at your significant other and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can experience right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu as of this moment.
