Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy the horror genre: Settle in with your loved one and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 has now made its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like typical biological terror, but inside Together lies a profound meditation about how we choose to love one another.
A Debut Feature Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for a decade. Having wed in real life in 2017, the two stars contribute a special spark to their characters, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The narrative commences when Millie and Tim move from the urban environment to the country for professional reasons. A familiar narrative setup, sure, but that’s mostly where the conventions end. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their country house, a storm hits, and the protagonists tumble into an underground cave. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a strange force starts to affect the pair. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The entire film is a slow burn of scares, blending bits of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). The director skillfully blends these components expertly and wraps them up in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is only the two lead actors, and they masterfully render countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and removed from his network of friends. He dreads the concept of completely losing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is amplified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together never makes Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
The couple face the type of challenges that are inherent in long-term unions a decade in. At their core, they continue to care for one another. They still laugh together, offer support, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these anxieties of codependency and fully committing to another person, the metaphor never feels clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Conversely, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the finale sow anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply look at your significant other and state, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform now.
