Consider this a dare for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of the horror genre: Settle in with your significant other and stream Together. The independent film success of 2025 has now made its streaming debut on Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like typical body horror, but beneath Together resides a deep examination about our choices in loving each other.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for over ten years. Married in real life in 2017, the actors bring a special spark to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The story commences when Millie and Tim transition from the big city to the country for Millie’s job. A commonly used story element, admittedly, but that’s largely where the tropes cease. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their country house, a storm hits, and the protagonists tumble into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity begins influencing the pair. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The entire film is a slow burn fright fest, blending elements of fever-dream horrors, gross (but tastefully done) body horror, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). The director orchestrates these parts neatly and delivers them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is only the two lead actors, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and removed from his network of friends. He fears the concept of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie avoids making Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie face the sort of issues that arise in most partnerships after ten years. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, offer support, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these concerns of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism avoids being hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that single viewers have interpreted the film as a powerful case for staying single. 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 function as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your partner and state, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can undertake right now.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
