Consider this a test for long-term couples who appreciate horror films: Settle in with your loved one and stream Together. The independent film success of 2025 has now made its streaming debut on Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like typical biological terror, but within Together lies a deep contemplation about how we choose to love each other.
A Debut Feature Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have stayed together for over ten years. Married in real life in 2017, the two stars contribute a special spark to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The plot begins when Tim and Millie transition from the metropolis to the countryside for her career. A commonly used plot device, sure, but that’s mostly where the cliches cease. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their country house, a storm hits, and the two discover an underground cave. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a strange force begins influencing the couple. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying fright fest, blending bits of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and distant from his network of friends. He fears the idea of totally forfeiting his individual identity in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie never makes either of his characters the obvious villain.
Both characters face the kind of problems that are inherent in most partnerships over a long period. Deep down, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, offer support, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these fears of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism never feels overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for staying single. Meanwhile, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the finale sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your partner and state, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can undertake right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform at present.
