Here's a challenge for partners in committed relationships who are fans of the horror genre: Settle in with your partner and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its online premiere on Hulu. At first glance, it could look like typical body horror, but beneath Together resides a profound meditation about the ways we decide to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for a decade. Having wed in real life in 2017, the two stars bring a particular energy to their characters, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The story starts when Tim and Millie transition from the metropolis to the country for professional reasons. A commonly used story element, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the cliches conclude. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim fall into an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence begins influencing the duo. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying fright fest, weaving in elements of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and delivers them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and removed from his network of friends. He dreads the concept of totally forfeiting his individual identity in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie never makes one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie confront the kind of problems that arise in most partnerships after ten years. Fundamentally, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the allegory never feels overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights work together symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a compelling reason for staying single. Conversely, some couples having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale sow anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply look at your other half and say, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can experience at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu as of this moment.
