Here's a test for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate horror films: Sit down with your partner and view Together. This independent film success of 2025 recently had its online premiere via Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like typical body horror, but within Together exists a deep meditation about how we choose to love one another.
A Debut Feature Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for over ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars bring a particular energy to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The narrative begins when the couple transition from the big city to the rural area for her career. A commonly used story element, sure, but that’s mostly where the conventions cease. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists discover an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity begins influencing the duo. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The whole movie is a slow burn of scares, interspersing elements of fever-dream horrors, gross (but never too gross) body horror, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). The director orchestrates these parts seamlessly and presents them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and far away from his social circle. He dreads the idea of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he can’t drive and relies on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie avoids making one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie face the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship a decade in. At their core, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, offer support, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism never feels hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could act as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the finale inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your significant other and say, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is streaming on Hulu now.
