We present a test for long-term couples who appreciate the horror genre: Get comfortable with your loved one and stream Together. The independent film success of 2025 has now made its online premiere on Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like typical body horror, but beneath Together exists a intense contemplation about how we choose to love each other.
An Introductory Film Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have been together for ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the actors bring a unique chemistry to their roles, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative commences when the couple relocate from the metropolis to the rural area for professional reasons. A familiar story element, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the cliches conclude. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their country house, a tempest descends, and the two discover an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity takes hold of the pair. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a slow burn horror experience, interspersing bits of dreamlike terrors, gross (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes during something horrific). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and wraps them up in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and removed from his social circle. He is terrified of the idea of completely losing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is amplified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie refrains from painting either of his characters the obvious villain.
Both characters grapple with the sort of issues that are inherent in long-term unions a decade in. Fundamentally, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, offer support, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these anxieties of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal work together symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a powerful case for remaining unattached. On the other hand, certain partners having disagreements found that the film actually helped them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could function as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your significant other and state, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can undertake right now.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu now.
