Consider this a test for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of horror films: Get comfortable with your partner and view Together. This independent film success of 2025 recently had its online premiere on Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like typical physical horror, but beneath Together resides a profound meditation about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Debut Feature Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars infuse a unique chemistry to their characters, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The story starts when Millie and Tim move from the urban environment to the countryside for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical story element, sure, but that’s largely where the conventions cease. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the two fall into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a strange force begins influencing the couple. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past simple connection.
The complete narrative is a slow burn horror experience, blending bits of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) body horror, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes amidst something disturbing). The director skillfully blends these components expertly and delivers them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his floundering music career inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and far away from his support system. He dreads the idea of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he avoids making Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Both characters face the kind of problems that are inherent in most partnerships a decade in. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these concerns of excessive reliance and fully committing to another person, the symbolism avoids being clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a compelling reason for staying single. Meanwhile, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could act as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply look at your significant other and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can embark on right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
