We present a test for partners in committed relationships who are fans of the horror genre: Sit down with your significant other and watch Together. This independent film success of 2025 has now made its streaming debut via Hulu. Outwardly, it may seem like conventional body horror, but within Together resides a profound examination about how we choose to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together represents the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for over ten years. Having wed in actuality in 2017, the actors infuse a particular energy to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The plot begins when Tim and Millie move from the urban environment to the countryside for professional reasons. A commonly used plot device, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the tropes conclude. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the two discover an underground cave. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence begins influencing the pair. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying fright fest, blending moments of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but never too gross) body horror, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and removed from his support system. He is terrified of the notion of totally forfeiting his individual identity in his partner. This fear is intensified by the fact he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he avoids making either of his characters the obvious villain.
The couple face the type of challenges that are inherent in most partnerships over a long period. At their core, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, offer support, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor does not come across as hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film actually helped them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could act as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the ending plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply look at your other half and say, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can undertake today.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
