Consider this a test for long-term couples who enjoy horror films: Settle in with your significant other and view Together. The independent film success of 2025 has now made its streaming debut on Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like standard body horror, but within Together exists a intense examination about our choices in loving our partners.
An Introductory Film Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together is the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for a decade. Having wed in actuality in 2017, the two stars bring a special spark to their characters, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The story commences when Millie and Tim relocate from the big city to the country for Millie’s job. A commonly used narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the tropes cease. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim tumble into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence takes hold of the duo. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying horror experience, weaving in moments of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but never too gross) body horror, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and presents them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is suffering due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and distant from his network of friends. He fears the idea of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together avoids making either of his characters the clear bad guy.
The couple face the kind of problems that arise in most partnerships a decade in. Fundamentally, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to another person, the symbolism avoids being clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Conversely, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could act as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the ending sow 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 glance toward your partner and state, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can undertake today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
