We present a test for long-term couples who appreciate the horror genre: Sit down with your loved one and stream Together. The 2025 indie hit recently had its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it may seem like conventional body horror, but within Together lies a profound contemplation about our choices in loving our partners.
An Introductory Film Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for over ten years. Married in real life in 2017, the actors infuse a special spark to their roles, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The plot starts when Millie and Tim relocate from the urban environment to the rural area for her career. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s largely where the cliches conclude. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the protagonists fall into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity takes hold of the duo. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a slow burn fright fest, interspersing bits of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). The director orchestrates these parts seamlessly and presents them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and far away from his support system. He fears the concept of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie never makes either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie face the type of challenges that are inherent in any relationship over a long period. Fundamentally, they still love each other. They still laugh together, offer support, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the allegory does not come across as overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have understood the narrative as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could act as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending sow anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your other half and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu at present.
