We present a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate horror films: Get comfortable with your loved one and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 recently had its online premiere on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it could look like conventional biological terror, but inside Together lies a profound examination about how we choose to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for a decade. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a unique chemistry to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The story begins when Tim and Millie relocate from the urban environment to the countryside for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, sure, but that’s mostly where the cliches conclude. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim tumble into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity takes hold of the pair. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The entire film is a methodically building of scares, blending moments of fever-dream horrors, gross (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). The director orchestrates these parts neatly and wraps them up in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and distant from his network of friends. He fears the idea of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in another person. This fear is intensified by the reality he can’t drive and needs Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision is that he refrains from painting Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie face the sort of issues that come with any relationship over a long period. At their core, they continue to care for each other. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory never feels overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights work together in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, certain partners having disagreements found that the film actually helped them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could function as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the ending sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your significant other and state, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can experience at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu now.
