We present a test for partners in committed relationships who enjoy the horror genre: Sit down with your loved one and watch Together. This independent film success of 2025 has now made its online premiere via Hulu. On the surface, it could look like standard biological terror, but beneath Together resides a intense contemplation about how we choose to love our partners.
A Debut Feature Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for a decade. 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 long-term relationship.
The narrative begins when Tim and Millie move from the urban environment to the rural area for professional reasons. A familiar narrative setup, sure, but that’s largely where the tropes cease. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their new home, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim fall into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity starts to affect the pair. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a slow burn fright fest, weaving in moments of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and far away from his social circle. He fears the idea of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together refrains from painting one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie face the kind of problems that arise in long-term unions after ten years. Fundamentally, they continue to care for one another. They still laugh together, offer support, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the metaphor does not come across as clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama work together in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply look at your other half and state, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can experience today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
