Consider this a test for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate the horror genre: Get comfortable with your partner and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its streaming debut on Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like conventional body horror, but inside Together exists a profound examination about our choices in loving each other.
An Introductory Film Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together represents the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for a decade. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the actors bring a unique chemistry to their roles, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The plot starts when Tim and Millie transition from the big city to the countryside for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, of course, but that’s primarily where the conventions conclude. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim fall into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence begins influencing the pair. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past simple connection.
The complete narrative is a methodically building of scares, weaving in bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but never too gross) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and far away from his social circle. He is terrified of the idea of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is intensified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie refrains from painting Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Both characters grapple with the sort of issues that are inherent in most partnerships after ten years. Deep down, they continue to care for each other. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these concerns of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to another person, the metaphor avoids being hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. It has been said that single viewers have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could function as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion plant anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your significant other and say, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can undertake right now.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
