We present a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate the horror genre: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its online premiere on Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like typical body horror, but inside Together lies a profound contemplation about how we choose to love one another.
An Introductory Film Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have been together for a decade. Married in reality in 2017, the two stars infuse a unique chemistry to their characters, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The story commences when Tim and Millie transition from the urban environment to the rural area for her career. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the conventions cease. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists fall into an underground cave. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity starts to affect the duo. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying horror experience, blending elements of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but never too gross) body horror, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and removed from his support system. He dreads the idea of totally forfeiting his sense of self in another person. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie avoids making either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie confront the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship over a long period. Fundamentally, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, offer support, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these anxieties of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor avoids being hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal work together symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that single viewers have understood the narrative as a powerful case for staying single. Meanwhile, some couples who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the ending inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply look at your other half and say, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can experience today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu as of this moment.
