Here's a challenge for long-term couples who are fans of the horror genre: Get comfortable with your significant other and stream Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. On the surface, it may seem like standard body horror, but within Together exists a profound examination about our choices in loving each other.
A Directorial Debut Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the two stars bring a special spark to their characters, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The story starts when Millie and Tim relocate from the big city to the rural area for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s primarily where the conventions cease. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their country house, a storm hits, and the two tumble into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity takes hold of the couple. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying horror experience, weaving in moments of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). The director orchestrates these parts seamlessly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and far away from his support system. He dreads the concept of completely losing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together refrains from painting one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Both characters grapple with the sort of issues that come with any relationship a decade in. Deep down, they still love one another. 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.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism avoids being clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a strong argument for staying single. Conversely, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could function as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the finale plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your partner and say, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can experience at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu now.
