We present a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy the horror genre: Sit down with your loved one and stream Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. Outwardly, it may seem like typical physical horror, but beneath Together exists a deep examination about how we choose to love each other.
A Debut Feature Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for over ten years. Married in reality in 2017, the actors bring a particular energy to their characters, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The plot begins when the couple move from the metropolis to the rural area for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, of course, but that’s primarily where the cliches end. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists fall into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a strange force begins influencing the duo. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a slow burn of scares, blending bits of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes amidst something grotesque). The director orchestrates these parts neatly and delivers them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and distant from his social circle. He fears the notion of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision in Together refrains from painting either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters confront the kind of problems that come with any relationship over a long period. Fundamentally, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of excessive reliance and fully committing to another person, the metaphor never feels overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights work together in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that single viewers have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Conversely, some couples experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could function as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the ending plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply turn to your other half and say, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can embark on right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu at present.
