Consider this a test for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate horror films: Get comfortable with your partner and watch Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its online premiere on Hulu. At first glance, it could look like conventional body horror, but within Together lies a intense meditation about how we choose to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together marks the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for a decade. Having wed in real life in 2017, the two stars infuse a special spark to their characters, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The story begins when Millie and Tim transition from the urban environment to the countryside for professional reasons. A familiar story element, admittedly, but that’s largely where the conventions end. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their new home, a storm hits, and the two discover an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity starts to affect the duo. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying horror experience, weaving in moments of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) body horror, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and delivers them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and removed from his network of friends. He fears the notion of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is amplified by the fact he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie refrains from painting either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters face the kind of problems that arise in any relationship a decade in. Deep down, they still love one another. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism never feels overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama work together symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. On the other hand, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could act as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the finale plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your partner and state, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu at present.
