Here's a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of the horror genre: Get comfortable with your significant other and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 has now made its online premiere on Hulu. On the surface, it could look like typical body horror, but inside Together resides a profound meditation about our choices in loving our partners.
An Introductory Film Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for over ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a particular energy to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The narrative commences when the couple transition from the metropolis to the country for Millie’s job. A familiar narrative setup, sure, but that’s primarily where the tropes cease. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their country house, a tempest descends, and the two discover an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a strange force begins influencing the couple. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a slow burn fright fest, blending moments of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but never too gross) body horror, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes amidst something horrific). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and wraps them up in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and distant from his support system. He is terrified of the idea of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in Together refrains from painting either of his characters the clear bad guy.
The couple grapple with the kind of problems that are inherent in most partnerships over a long period. Fundamentally, they still love one another. They share moments of joy, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these concerns of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor does not come across as overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a powerful case for remaining unattached. On the other hand, certain partners 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 great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the ending plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply turn to your other half and state, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can experience today.
Together is streaming on Hulu at present.
