Consider this a challenge for long-term couples who are fans of horror films: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 has now made its online premiere via Hulu. At first glance, it could look like standard body horror, but beneath Together resides a deep examination about the ways we decide to love one another.
An Introductory Film Investigating Relationship Dynamics
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, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for over ten years. Having wed in actuality in 2017, the two stars infuse a particular energy to their roles, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The narrative starts when Tim and Millie move from the metropolis to the countryside for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical story element, of course, but that’s largely where the cliches end. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim fall into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence takes hold of the pair. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The whole movie is a slow burn of scares, blending bits of dreamlike terrors, gross (but tastefully done) body horror, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and far away from his social circle. He is terrified of the concept of completely losing his individual identity in another person. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together never makes one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie face the kind of problems that come with any relationship after ten years. Deep down, they continue to care for each other. They share moments of joy, offer support, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory does not come across as overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Conversely, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could act as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply look at your partner and state, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can undertake today.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu at present.
