Here's a challenge for partners in committed relationships who enjoy the horror genre: Sit down with your significant other and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. At first glance, it could look like standard body horror, but within Together exists a deep meditation about our choices in loving each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for over ten years. Having wed in actuality in 2017, the actors infuse a particular energy to their characters, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The story begins when Millie and Tim relocate from the urban environment to the countryside for her career. A commonly used story element, of course, but that’s largely where the conventions end. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists tumble into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a strange force takes hold of the pair. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying of scares, blending bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes amidst something horrific). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and delivers them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they masterfully render countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and far away from his social circle. He is terrified of the notion of completely losing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together refrains from painting either of his characters the obvious villain.
Both characters grapple with the sort of issues that are inherent in long-term unions a decade in. Deep down, they still love each other. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these anxieties of codependency and fully committing to another person, the metaphor avoids being hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that single viewers have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for staying single. Meanwhile, some couples having disagreements found that the film actually helped them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could function as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your partner and state, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can embark on today.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform at present.
