Here's a dare for long-term couples who are fans of the horror genre: Settle in with your partner and view Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its online premiere on Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like standard physical horror, but inside Together resides a deep meditation about our choices in loving each other.
A Debut Feature Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the actors bring a unique chemistry to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The narrative starts when Millie and Tim move from the big city to the rural area for professional reasons. A commonly used plot device, of course, but that’s largely where the tropes end. 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 hiking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the two tumble into an underground cave. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence takes hold of the pair. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The entire film is a slow burn of scares, interspersing moments of dreamlike terrors, gross (but never too gross) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes during something disturbing). The director orchestrates these parts seamlessly and presents them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is only the two lead actors, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his floundering music career gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and distant from his network of friends. He fears the notion of completely losing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is intensified by the reality he can’t drive and relies on Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie never makes Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
The couple face the sort of issues that are inherent in long-term unions after ten years. At their core, they continue to care for one another. They share moments of joy, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the symbolism avoids being overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. It has been said that single viewers have seen the movie as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Conversely, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could function as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply look at your partner and utter, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can experience right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu now.
