Consider this a challenge for partners in committed relationships who appreciate the horror genre: Settle in with your significant other and view Together. This 2025 indie hit just made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. On the surface, it could look like standard physical horror, but within Together lies a intense contemplation about the ways we decide to love our partners.
A Debut Feature Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars 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 a decade. Having wed in reality in 2017, the actors bring a unique chemistry to their characters, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The story begins when Tim and Millie relocate from the urban environment to the country for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the tropes cease. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the two discover an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity starts to affect the couple. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying fright fest, interspersing elements of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) body horror, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and removed from his social circle. He dreads the concept of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in Together avoids making either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters grapple with the kind of problems that come with long-term unions after ten years. Deep down, they still love each other. They find humor with each other, offer support, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these concerns of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor never feels overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Conversely, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion plant anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply look at your partner and state, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can embark on right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu at present.
