Consider this a challenge for partners in committed relationships who are fans of horror films: Sit down with your partner and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 has now made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. At first glance, it could look like conventional biological terror, but beneath Together lies a profound meditation about how we choose to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for a decade. Married in reality in 2017, the two stars bring a unique chemistry to their characters, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The narrative commences when the couple transition from the metropolis to the country for her career. A commonly used narrative setup, sure, but that’s mostly where the conventions end. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their country house, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim discover an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a strange force starts to affect the duo. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past simple connection.
The entire film is a methodically building horror experience, weaving in moments of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but never too gross) body horror, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes during something disturbing). Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and presents them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they deftly portray countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and distant from his social circle. He is terrified of the notion of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he refrains from painting Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
The couple face the sort of issues that come with most partnerships a decade in. At their core, they still love each other. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these anxieties of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor avoids being overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights work together symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a powerful case for remaining unattached. On the other hand, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could act as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the ending plant anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your significant other and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can embark on right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
