We present a test for partners in committed relationships who are fans of the horror genre: Sit down with your significant other and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 recently had its online premiere on Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like standard physical horror, but within Together exists a deep meditation about our choices in loving each other.
A Debut Feature Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, partners that have been together for a decade. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars bring a special spark to their characters, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The plot 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 primarily where the tropes conclude. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim fall into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence begins influencing the duo. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past simple connection.
The complete narrative is a methodically building of scares, weaving in bits of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes during something disturbing). Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and presents them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and distant from his support system. He is terrified of the notion of completely losing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he avoids making one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Both characters confront the type of challenges that are inherent in long-term unions after ten years. Fundamentally, they still love one another. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor does not come across as clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply look at your other half and say, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can experience today.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu at present.
