We present a dare for long-term couples who appreciate horror films: Settle in with your significant other and view Together. The independent film success of 2025 has now made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like typical biological terror, but within Together lies a intense contemplation about our choices in loving one another.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together marks the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for a decade. Married in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a special spark to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The story starts when the couple transition from the urban environment to the country for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical story element, of course, but that’s primarily where the tropes end. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their new home, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim tumble into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity begins influencing the pair. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The entire film is a methodically building of scares, blending bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but tastefully done) body horror, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). The director orchestrates these parts seamlessly and presents them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness 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 cause they’ve moved to the country and distant from his support system. He is terrified of the idea of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is intensified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he refrains from painting one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
The couple grapple with the sort of issues that come with any relationship after ten years. At their core, they have affection for one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor never feels overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a compelling reason for staying single. On the other hand, a few pairs 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 revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the ending plant anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply look at your partner and state, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can experience today.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu now.
