We present a test for long-term couples who are fans of the horror genre: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its online premiere via Hulu. At first glance, it could look like typical biological terror, but inside Together exists a profound contemplation about our choices in loving one another.
An Introductory Film Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together marks the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have been together for a decade. Having wed in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a special spark to their characters, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The plot commences when the couple relocate from the big city to the countryside for professional reasons. A commonly used plot device, of course, but that’s mostly where the conventions end. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim discover an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity begins influencing the couple. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The entire film is a slow burn horror experience, weaving in elements of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but never too gross) physical transformations, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and wraps them up in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
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 confidence and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and far away from his network of friends. He fears the idea of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together refrains from painting one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Both characters face the kind of problems that come with long-term unions a decade in. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these fears of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor never feels clumsy or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. It has been said that single viewers have understood the narrative as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the ending inspire anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your other half and utter, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can experience at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform now.
