Here's a test for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy the horror genre: Settle in with your loved one and view Together. The independent film success of 2025 has now made its online premiere on Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like conventional biological terror, but beneath Together exists a profound meditation about our choices in loving each other.
A Debut Feature Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for over ten years. Married in real life in 2017, the actors infuse a particular energy to their roles, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The narrative begins when Tim and Millie relocate from the urban environment to the country for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s largely where the cliches cease. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their new home, a storm hits, and the two discover an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity takes hold of the duo. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying fright fest, interspersing elements of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes amidst something horrific). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and presents them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and removed from his social circle. He fears the concept of completely losing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he never makes either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters confront the kind of problems that are inherent in most partnerships after ten years. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, offer support, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these fears of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to another person, the allegory never feels clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a powerful case for staying single. Meanwhile, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply look at your significant other and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can experience at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
