We present a dare for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy horror films: Sit down with your significant other and view Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. At first glance, it could look like typical physical horror, but inside Together resides a deep examination about our choices in loving our partners.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together marks the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for a decade. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a unique chemistry to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The story starts when Millie and Tim move from the urban environment to the countryside for her career. A commonly used plot device, sure, but that’s largely where the conventions cease. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their country house, a storm hits, and the protagonists discover an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence starts to affect the couple. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a slow burn of scares, interspersing bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and removed from his support system. He is terrified of the concept of completely losing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision is that he refrains from painting Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie grapple with the type of challenges that arise in most partnerships after ten years. At their core, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, offer support, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these concerns of excessive reliance and fully committing to another person, the symbolism does not come across as hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could act as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending plant anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply turn to your other half and state, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can undertake right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform at present.
