Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy the horror genre: Settle in with your significant other and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 has now made its online premiere on Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like conventional body horror, but inside Together lies a intense contemplation about how we choose to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together is the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It showcases 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 over ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, the actors contribute a unique chemistry to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The narrative begins when Tim and Millie move from the big city to the rural area for her career. A somewhat stereotypical story element, of course, but that’s mostly where the tropes conclude. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the two tumble into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a strange force takes hold of the duo. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying horror experience, weaving in elements of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but never too gross) body horror, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and presents them in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is only the two lead actors, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and distant from his network of friends. He is terrified of the idea of completely losing his sense of self in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie refrains from painting one partner or the other the obvious villain.
The couple face the kind of problems that arise in most partnerships over a long period. Fundamentally, they continue to care for each other. They find humor with each other, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these fears of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights work together in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Conversely, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. 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 feel frustration, or simply glance toward your significant other and state, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can embark on today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu as of this moment.
