Consider this a test for partners in committed relationships who appreciate the horror genre: Settle in with your partner and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 has now made its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. On the surface, it could look like typical body horror, but beneath Together exists a intense examination about our choices in loving each other.
An Introductory Film Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together marks the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for over ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, the actors infuse a particular energy to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The story starts when the couple relocate from the big city to the countryside for Millie’s job. A familiar narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the cliches conclude. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists tumble into an underground cave. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence starts to affect the duo. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a methodically building of scares, blending elements of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but tastefully done) body horror, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes amidst something disturbing). The director orchestrates these parts neatly and wraps them up in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they deftly portray countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and removed from his social circle. He is terrified of the idea of totally forfeiting his sense of self in another person. This fear is intensified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie avoids making one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie grapple with the sort of issues that arise in any relationship a decade in. At their core, they have affection for each other. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these anxieties of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism never feels clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that single viewers have seen the movie as a strong argument for staying single. Meanwhile, some couples having disagreements found that the film actually helped them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could act as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply look at your significant other and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can embark on today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform at present.
