We present a dare for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy scary movies: Get comfortable with your loved one and watch Together. This independent film success of 2025 has now made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. At first glance, it could look like standard body horror, but within Together lies a intense contemplation about how we choose to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have stayed together for over ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a particular energy to their roles, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The narrative starts when Millie and Tim transition from the urban environment to the country for her career. A familiar narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the tropes conclude. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the protagonists discover an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a strange force takes hold of the couple. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past simple connection.
The entire film is a slow burn fright fest, weaving in moments of fever-dream horrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes amidst something grotesque). The director orchestrates these parts seamlessly and wraps them up in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and removed from his support system. He dreads the concept of totally forfeiting his individual identity in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together avoids making Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
The couple face the sort of issues that come with most partnerships after ten years. Fundamentally, they continue to care for one another. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the metaphor avoids being clumsy or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights work together symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, some couples having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could act as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply look at your partner and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can experience right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform now.
