Consider this a challenge for partners in committed relationships who are fans of the horror genre: Sit down with your significant other and stream Together. This 2025 indie hit has now made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. At first glance, it might appear like conventional body horror, but within Together resides a deep examination about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Debut Feature Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker 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 ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the actors bring a particular energy to their characters, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The story starts when Millie and Tim move from the metropolis to the rural area for Millie’s job. A commonly used narrative setup, of course, but that’s largely where the tropes end. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim fall into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity starts to affect the couple. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a slow burn fright fest, blending bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but tastefully done) body horror, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and delivers them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and removed from his support system. He is terrified of the concept of completely losing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is intensified by the reality 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 obvious villain.
Tim and Millie face the kind of problems that come with most partnerships a decade in. At their core, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these fears of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have interpreted the film as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Conversely, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could function as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the finale plant anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply look at your partner and utter, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can experience today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform now.
