Consider this a dare for long-term couples who appreciate the horror genre: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its online premiere on the Hulu service. At first glance, it may seem like typical body horror, but beneath Together lies a deep examination about the ways we decide to love each other.
An Introductory Film Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for a decade. Having wed in real life in 2017, the two stars bring a special spark to their roles, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The story starts when Tim and Millie move from the big city to the rural area for her career. A somewhat stereotypical story element, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the conventions conclude. 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 rural residence, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim fall into an underground cave. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity takes hold of the couple. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a methodically building of scares, blending moments of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes during something horrific). Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and presents them in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and distant from his network of friends. He fears the concept of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is amplified by the fact he can’t drive and relies on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together refrains from painting one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Both characters grapple with the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship over a long period. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these concerns of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to another person, the symbolism avoids being overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Conversely, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could function as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the finale inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply look at your other half and state, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can experience at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu as of this moment.
