Consider this a dare for long-term couples who appreciate horror films: Sit down with your loved one and view Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. On the surface, it might appear like standard body horror, but inside Together resides a intense contemplation about our choices in loving each other.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have been together for ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the two stars bring a unique chemistry to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative commences when Tim and Millie move from the urban environment to the country for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical story element, sure, but that’s primarily where the conventions end. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their country house, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim discover an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence begins influencing the couple. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying of scares, weaving in bits of dreamlike terrors, gross (but never too gross) body horror, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes amidst something horrific). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and delivers them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is suffering due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and removed from his network of friends. He is terrified of the concept of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together avoids making Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Both characters face the type of challenges that come with any relationship after ten years. At their core, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these concerns of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the allegory avoids being clumsy or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a strong argument for remaining unattached. On the other hand, certain partners having disagreements found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion plant anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply look at your partner and say, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can experience today.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
