Consider this a dare for long-term couples who are fans of the horror genre: Settle in with your significant other and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 has now made its streaming debut via Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like typical body horror, but within Together resides a deep meditation about the ways we decide to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have remained a couple for a decade. Married in real life in 2017, the actors bring a particular energy to their characters, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The narrative commences when Tim and Millie transition from the urban environment to the rural area for professional reasons. A familiar story element, of course, but that’s largely where the conventions conclude. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their new home, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim tumble into an underground cave. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity takes hold of the couple. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a slow burn horror experience, interspersing moments of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes amidst something horrific). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and delivers them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and distant from his network of friends. He dreads the notion of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in another person. This fear is amplified by the fact he can’t drive and relies on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in Together never makes one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
The couple face the type of challenges that are inherent in any relationship a decade in. Fundamentally, they still love each other. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these fears of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the metaphor avoids being hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights work together symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a strong argument for staying single. Meanwhile, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the ending inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply look at your partner and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can experience at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu at present.
