Consider this a test for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate horror films: Settle in with your loved one and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 has now made its streaming debut via Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like typical physical horror, but within Together lies a intense examination about the ways we decide to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for a decade. Married in real life in 2017, the two stars contribute a particular energy to their characters, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The story starts when the couple transition from the urban environment to the country for her career. A familiar narrative setup, of course, but that’s mostly where the conventions conclude. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their country house, a storm hits, and the protagonists tumble into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a strange force begins influencing the duo. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The complete narrative is a slow burn horror experience, interspersing moments of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes amidst something horrific). The director skillfully blends these components neatly and presents them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and far away from his network of friends. He is terrified of the idea of completely losing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is intensified by the fact he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision is that he refrains from painting either of his characters the definite antagonist.
The couple grapple with the kind of problems that arise in any relationship over a long period. Deep down, they continue to care for one another. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these concerns of codependency and totally devoting oneself to another person, the allegory avoids being overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Conversely, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the ending inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply look at your other half and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can undertake today.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu at present.
