Consider this a test for long-term couples who are fans of the horror genre: Sit down with your significant other and stream Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its online premiere on the Hulu service. On the surface, it could look like standard physical horror, but inside Together exists a deep contemplation about our choices in loving our partners.
An Introductory Film Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have been together for a decade. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the actors bring a unique chemistry to their roles, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The narrative begins when Tim and Millie relocate from the urban environment to the rural area for her career. A somewhat stereotypical story element, of course, but that’s mostly where the tropes cease. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their country house, a storm hits, and the two tumble into an underground cave. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a strange force takes hold of the pair. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying fright fest, interspersing elements of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes during something grotesque). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and presents them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is only 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 suffering due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his floundering music career inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and far away from his social circle. He is terrified of the idea of totally forfeiting his individual identity in his partner. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie avoids making one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie grapple with the type of challenges that are inherent in long-term unions after ten years. Deep down, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of excessive reliance and fully committing to another person, the metaphor avoids being clumsy or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal work together symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could act as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply look at your partner and say, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can experience at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu at present.
