Consider this a challenge for long-term couples who are fans of scary movies: Get comfortable with your significant other and watch Together. This independent film success of 2025 has now made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. At first glance, it could look like conventional biological terror, but within Together exists a intense meditation about how we choose to love one another.
An Introductory Film Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, the two stars bring a special spark to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The narrative begins when Millie and Tim transition from the big city to the country for her career. A familiar story element, of course, but that’s mostly where the conventions conclude. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their country house, a tempest descends, and the protagonists fall into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity takes hold of the duo. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past simple connection.
The entire film is a methodically building horror experience, weaving in elements of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes during something grotesque). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and presents them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and removed from his network of friends. He is terrified of the notion of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he refrains from painting one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Both characters face the type of challenges that come with most partnerships after ten years. Fundamentally, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory avoids being hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could act as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the finale inspire anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your significant other and say, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can undertake right now.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu at present.
