We present a dare for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy horror films: Settle in with your loved one and view Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its online premiere via Hulu. On the surface, it could look like conventional body horror, but beneath Together exists a intense meditation about how we choose to love each other.
An Introductory Film Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together represents the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for a decade. Married in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a particular energy to their roles, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The narrative begins when Tim and Millie transition from the urban environment to the country for her career. A familiar plot device, sure, but that’s mostly where the tropes conclude. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the protagonists fall into an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a strange force begins influencing the couple. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying fright fest, weaving in bits of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). The director orchestrates these parts expertly and delivers them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and far away from his network of friends. He dreads the concept of totally forfeiting his individual identity in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision is that he never makes one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie grapple with the type of challenges that come with long-term unions after ten years. Deep down, they still love one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to another person, the symbolism avoids being clumsy or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could function as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the ending sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply look at your significant other and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can experience at this very moment.
Together is streaming on Hulu now.
