We present a dare for long-term couples who appreciate horror films: Get comfortable with your significant other and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 recently had its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like conventional physical horror, but beneath Together exists a deep meditation about how we choose to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together is the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have been together for ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, the actors bring a unique chemistry to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative starts when Millie and Tim move from the big city to the rural area for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s mostly where the conventions cease. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the protagonists fall into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a strange force starts to affect the couple. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a methodically building horror experience, blending moments of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes during something disturbing). The director skillfully blends these components neatly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is only the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and removed from his network of friends. He is terrified of the idea of totally forfeiting his sense of self in another person. This fear is amplified by the reality he can’t drive and needs Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie refrains from painting Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Both characters grapple with the kind of problems that are inherent in most partnerships after ten years. Deep down, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for staying single. On the other hand, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could act as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the ending sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply look at your partner and say, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can undertake today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
