Here's a test for long-term couples who enjoy the horror genre: Sit down with your loved one and view Together. The independent film success of 2025 has now made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. On the surface, it might appear like typical physical horror, but beneath Together resides a intense contemplation about our choices in loving our partners.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together is the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for ten years. Married in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a special spark to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The story starts when Millie and Tim move from the metropolis to the rural area for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, of course, but that’s mostly where the cliches end. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the two discover an underground cave. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity takes hold of the couple. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a slow burn fright fest, blending moments of dreamlike terrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes amidst something disturbing). The director weaves these elements together seamlessly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and far away from his social circle. He is terrified of the idea of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he can’t drive and relies on Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie refrains from painting either of his characters the obvious villain.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that are inherent in most partnerships over a long period. Deep down, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these fears of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the metaphor never feels hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a strong argument for staying single. Conversely, some couples having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could act as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your partner and utter, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can experience at this very moment.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu now.
