Here's a test for long-term couples who appreciate horror films: Get comfortable with your significant other and view Together. The independent film success of 2025 has now made its online premiere on Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like conventional body horror, but inside Together lies a profound contemplation about our choices in loving each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together is the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for over ten years. Having wed in actuality in 2017, the two stars infuse a unique chemistry to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The story begins when Tim and Millie transition from the big city to the rural area for her career. A familiar narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s largely where the cliches cease. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists tumble into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a strange force takes hold of the pair. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a slow burn fright fest, interspersing bits of dreamlike terrors, gross (but never too gross) physical transformations, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and wraps them up in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and removed from his social circle. He is terrified of the notion of completely losing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision is that he refrains from painting either of his characters the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie grapple with the type of challenges that are inherent in most partnerships a decade in. Fundamentally, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, offer support, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the metaphor never feels overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama work together symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a powerful case for remaining unattached. On the other hand, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could act as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the ending inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply look at your significant other and state, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can undertake today.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform now.
