We present a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate horror films: Sit down with your significant other and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its online premiere via Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like typical biological terror, but within Together lies a deep meditation about our choices in loving one another.
A Debut Feature Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for over ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, the two stars bring a unique chemistry to their characters, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The story begins when Tim and Millie move from the metropolis to the rural area for professional reasons. A commonly used story element, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the conventions conclude. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their new home, a storm hits, and the two fall into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence takes hold of the duo. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a slow burn horror experience, blending moments of dreamlike terrors, gross (but tastefully done) body horror, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes during something horrific). Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and wraps them up in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is only the two lead actors, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is waning due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and distant from his social circle. He is terrified of the concept of totally forfeiting his individual identity in his partner. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he avoids making either of his characters the obvious villain.
The couple confront the type of challenges that arise in long-term unions after ten years. Deep down, they continue to care for one another. They share moments of joy, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these concerns of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory never feels overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a strong argument for staying single. On the other hand, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could act as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the finale plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply look at your significant other and state, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can undertake today.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu now.
