Here's a dare for partners in committed relationships who enjoy the horror genre: Get comfortable with your loved one and view Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like conventional body horror, but beneath Together lies a deep examination about how we choose to love each other.
A Debut Feature Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, the actors bring a particular energy to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The plot begins when Millie and Tim relocate from the metropolis to the country for her career. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, of course, but that’s mostly where the conventions end. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the protagonists fall into an underground cave. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence begins influencing the pair. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying horror experience, blending elements of dreamlike terrors, gross (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes during something grotesque). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and presents them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and distant from his social circle. He dreads the notion of totally forfeiting his individual identity in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he avoids making one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Both characters face the kind of problems that come with long-term unions over a long period. At their core, they still love each other. They still laugh together, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these concerns of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism avoids being hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. It has been said that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Conversely, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could function as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the ending sow 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 significant other and state, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can embark on right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform now.
