Here's a test for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate the horror genre: Settle in with your partner and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 has now made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like conventional physical horror, but within Together exists a profound contemplation about our choices in loving our partners.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together represents the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for over ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a special spark to their roles, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The plot begins when Millie and Tim transition from the urban environment to the rural area for her career. A commonly used narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s largely where the tropes conclude. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their new home, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim fall into an underground cave. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence starts to affect the duo. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying fright fest, weaving in elements of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes amidst something horrific). Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and removed from his social circle. He fears the notion of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie never makes one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Both characters confront the kind of problems that arise in any relationship after ten years. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the metaphor avoids being hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a powerful case for remaining unattached. On the other hand, some couples experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could act as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your other half and state, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can undertake right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform now.
