Consider this a dare for long-term couples who enjoy horror films: Get comfortable with your loved one and watch Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its online premiere on Hulu. On the surface, it could look like conventional body horror, but within Together exists a intense contemplation about how we choose to love one another.
An Introductory Film Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have remained a couple for ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the two stars bring a unique chemistry to their roles, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The narrative begins when the couple transition from the urban environment to the rural area for her career. A commonly used narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the conventions cease. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their new home, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim fall into an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a strange force starts to affect the couple. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The entire film is a methodically building horror experience, blending moments of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes during something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and delivers them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and removed from his social circle. He is terrified of the concept of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is intensified by the reality he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie avoids making one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Both characters face the type of challenges that come with long-term unions a decade in. Deep down, they continue to care for each other. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these concerns of excessive reliance and fully committing to another person, the symbolism never feels overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a strong argument for staying single. On the other hand, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could function as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the finale sow anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your other half and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can experience today.
Together is streaming on Hulu now.
