Consider this a dare for long-term couples who appreciate the horror genre: Settle in with your partner and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 recently had its online premiere on the Hulu service. At first glance, it could look like standard physical horror, but within Together exists a deep meditation about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Debut Feature Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together represents the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for over ten years. Married in real life in 2017, the two stars contribute a particular energy to their roles, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The story begins when the couple relocate from the big city to the countryside for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical story element, admittedly, but that’s largely where the cliches cease. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim tumble into an underground cave. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence takes hold of the duo. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a methodically building fright fest, blending moments of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and presents them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and distant from his social circle. He fears the idea of completely losing his sense of self in another person. This fear is amplified by the reality he can’t drive and relies on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie avoids making either of his characters the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie grapple with the type of challenges that are inherent in long-term unions a decade in. At their core, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these concerns of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to another person, the metaphor avoids being clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could act as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your partner and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu now.
