Consider this a test for partners in committed relationships who are fans of the horror genre: Sit down with your significant other and stream Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its streaming debut on Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like conventional body horror, but beneath Together lies a intense meditation about the ways we decide to love each other.
An Introductory Film Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, the actors bring a unique chemistry to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The narrative begins when Tim and Millie transition from the urban environment to the country for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical story element, sure, but that’s largely where the tropes cease. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim tumble into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a strange force starts to affect the pair. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a methodically building of scares, blending bits of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes during something horrific). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and presents them in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is waning due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and removed from his support system. He is terrified of the idea of totally forfeiting his individual identity in Millie. This fear is intensified by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie never makes either of his characters the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie grapple with the type of challenges that are inherent in any relationship over a long period. Fundamentally, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to another person, the metaphor never feels overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that single viewers have interpreted the film as a powerful case for remaining unattached. On the other hand, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could function as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your significant other and state, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can undertake right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform now.
