Here's a challenge for partners in committed relationships who are fans of horror films: Sit down with your partner and view Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. At first glance, it could look like standard body horror, but within Together resides a profound contemplation about our choices in loving our partners.
A Debut Feature Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have been together for a decade. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars contribute a special spark to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The plot starts when Tim and Millie transition from the urban environment to the rural area for her career. A commonly used narrative setup, of course, but that’s mostly where the cliches conclude. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the two tumble into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity starts to affect the duo. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The whole movie is a methodically building of scares, interspersing elements of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes amidst something horrific). The director skillfully blends these components neatly and wraps them up in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self 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 failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and far away from his network of friends. He fears the idea of totally forfeiting his sense of self in his partner. This fear is amplified by the reality he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision is that he refrains from painting either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie confront the kind of problems that come with long-term unions over a long period. At their core, they still love each other. They still laugh together, offer support, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor never feels overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights work together in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the ending plant anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply look at your other half and state, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can experience right now.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu now.
