Here's a test for partners in committed relationships who appreciate horror films: Get comfortable with your partner and stream Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its online premiere via Hulu. Outwardly, it may seem like typical biological terror, but inside Together resides a intense meditation about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a unique chemistry to their roles, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The story begins when Millie and Tim move from the urban environment to the country for professional reasons. A familiar narrative setup, of course, but that’s largely where the cliches cease. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the protagonists discover an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence takes hold of the couple. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a slow burn horror experience, weaving in moments of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) body horror, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and presents them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and far away from his social circle. He fears the concept of totally forfeiting his sense of self in another person. This fear is intensified by the fact he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he refrains from painting Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie face the type of challenges that come with any relationship after ten years. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, offer support, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism never feels clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer 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 ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Conversely, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale sow anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply look at your significant other and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can embark on today.
Together is streaming on Hulu now.
