Here's a challenge for long-term couples who are fans of the horror genre: Get comfortable with your loved one and stream Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it could look like standard body horror, but within Together lies a profound examination about the ways we decide to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for over ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the actors bring a unique chemistry to their roles, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The story begins when Tim and Millie move from the metropolis to the rural area for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s largely where the tropes cease. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the two discover an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity starts to affect the duo. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying horror experience, interspersing moments of dreamlike terrors, gross (but never too gross) body horror, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and delivers them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and far away from his network of friends. He is terrified of the idea of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is amplified by the fact he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he never makes either of his characters the definite antagonist.
The couple face the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship after ten years. At their core, they continue to care for one another. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these anxieties of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a powerful case for remaining unattached. On the other hand, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale plant anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your other half and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can embark on right now.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu at present.
