Consider this a test for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of horror films: Sit down with your loved one and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 recently had its online premiere on Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like standard body horror, but beneath Together exists a deep contemplation about our choices in loving our partners.
An Introductory Film Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for a decade. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the actors contribute a particular energy to their roles, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The plot commences when Tim and Millie transition from the big city to the country for Millie’s job. A familiar narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the tropes end. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their country house, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim fall into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity begins influencing the couple. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying fright fest, weaving in bits of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but never too gross) body horror, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes amidst something horrific). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and presents them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and distant from his social circle. He dreads the notion of totally forfeiting his sense of self in Millie. This fear is amplified by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie never makes either of his characters the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie confront the sort of issues that arise in most partnerships over a long period. Fundamentally, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism does not come across as hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a powerful case for staying single. On the other hand, some couples having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion plant anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your partner and say, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can experience at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
