Here's a dare for long-term couples who appreciate horror films: Settle in with your partner and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its streaming debut on Hulu. At first glance, it could look like typical physical horror, but within Together resides a intense examination about how we choose to love each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for over ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the actors bring a particular energy to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative starts when Tim and Millie relocate from the metropolis to the country for Millie’s job. A familiar story element, sure, but that’s mostly where the conventions end. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim fall into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity starts to affect the pair. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying fright fest, weaving in moments of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes during something horrific). The director weaves these elements together seamlessly and wraps them up in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and far away from his support system. He dreads the notion of completely losing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together never makes one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Both characters face the kind of problems that come with any relationship after ten years. Fundamentally, they still love one another. They find humor with each other, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these fears of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to another person, the symbolism never feels overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, some couples who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could act as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the ending plant anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your other half and utter, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can experience right now.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu now.
