Here's a challenge for partners in committed relationships who appreciate the horror genre: Settle in with your significant other and view Together. This independent film success of 2025 has now made its online premiere on the Hulu service. At first glance, it could look like typical biological terror, but beneath Together exists a deep meditation about our choices in loving our partners.
A Directorial Debut Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have remained a couple for over ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a unique chemistry to their roles, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The plot begins when Tim and Millie move from the big city to the country for Millie’s job. A commonly used plot device, sure, but that’s primarily where the cliches end. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the two fall into 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 paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying horror experience, blending elements of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but never too gross) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and delivers them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they deftly portray countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is waning due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and far away from his social circle. He fears the concept of completely losing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together refrains from painting one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
The couple grapple with the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship after ten years. At their core, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these fears of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to another person, the allegory never feels clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have interpreted the film as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could act as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the ending sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply look at your partner and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can experience at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu now.
