Consider this a challenge for partners in committed relationships who appreciate horror films: Sit down with your significant other and view Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its streaming debut on Hulu. On the surface, it could look like typical body horror, but inside Together lies a deep meditation about the ways we decide to love our partners.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for over ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, the actors infuse a unique chemistry to their characters, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The narrative begins when the couple relocate from the urban environment to the country for professional reasons. A familiar story element, sure, but that’s largely where the tropes conclude. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the two discover an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a strange force takes hold of the couple. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The entire film is a methodically building horror experience, interspersing moments of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but never too gross) physical transformations, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and delivers them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and distant from his network of friends. He fears the notion of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is intensified by the fact he can’t drive and relies on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie never makes one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie grapple with the sort of issues that arise in any relationship over a long period. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these anxieties of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama work together symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have interpreted the film as a powerful case for staying single. Meanwhile, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could act as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the finale plant anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your significant other and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can undertake right now.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu now.
