Here's a challenge for partners in committed relationships who are fans of the horror genre: Sit down with your loved one and stream Together. The independent film success of 2025 has now made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like standard body horror, but beneath Together exists a profound examination about how we choose to love each other.
An Introductory Film Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for a decade. Married in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a particular energy to their roles, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The narrative starts when the couple move from the urban environment to the countryside for her career. A commonly used story element, of course, but that’s mostly where the tropes end. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their new home, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim tumble into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity takes hold of the pair. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a slow burn horror experience, blending moments of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but never too gross) physical transformations, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his floundering music career inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and far away from his network of friends. He is terrified of the concept of completely losing his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is intensified by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together never makes either of his characters the clear bad guy.
The couple face the kind of problems that come with long-term unions after ten years. At their core, they have affection for one another. They share moments of joy, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these concerns of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the metaphor does not come across as overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that single viewers have understood the narrative as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Conversely, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the ending plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your significant other and state, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can embark on right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu now.
