We present a challenge for long-term couples who appreciate scary movies: Sit down with your partner and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its streaming debut on Hulu. Outwardly, it may seem like typical body horror, but inside Together exists a deep examination about how we choose to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for ten years. Having wed in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a particular energy to their roles, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative starts when the couple transition from the metropolis to the rural area for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical story element, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the tropes end. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their new home, a storm hits, and the protagonists fall into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence begins influencing the pair. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a methodically building fright fest, interspersing elements of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but tastefully done) body horror, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes during something horrific). The director skillfully blends these components neatly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and removed from his support system. He is terrified of the notion of completely losing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is intensified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision is that he avoids making one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
The couple grapple with the kind of problems that arise in long-term unions after ten years. Fundamentally, they continue to care for each other. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to another person, the allegory does not come across as overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. It has been said that single viewers have seen the movie as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. Conversely, certain partners having disagreements found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the ending inspire anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify 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 exploration you can experience at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu as of this moment.
