Consider this a challenge for partners in committed relationships who are fans of horror films: Sit down with your significant other and view Together. The 2025 indie hit recently had its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. On the surface, it could look like typical body horror, but within Together exists a deep meditation about our choices in loving one another.
A Debut Feature Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together is the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for over ten years. Married in real life in 2017, the two stars bring a unique chemistry to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The story commences when Tim and Millie transition from the urban environment to the countryside for professional reasons. A familiar story element, sure, but that’s primarily where the conventions conclude. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the two discover an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence begins influencing the duo. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying of scares, weaving in moments of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and presents them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is waning due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his floundering music career inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and far away from his support system. He dreads the concept of totally forfeiting his individual identity in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie refrains from painting either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie grapple with the type of challenges that come with most partnerships over a long period. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, offer support, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism does not come across as hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal work together symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have interpreted the film as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply look at your partner and say, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can experience right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
