We present a dare for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of horror films: Settle in with your significant other and view Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its online premiere on Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like conventional biological terror, but beneath Together lies a deep contemplation about how we choose to love one another.
An Introductory Film Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for a decade. Married in real life in 2017, the actors infuse a special spark to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The narrative begins when Tim and Millie move from the urban environment to the rural area for her career. A familiar plot device, sure, but that’s mostly where the tropes conclude. 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 country house, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim tumble into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a strange force starts to affect the duo. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a slow burn of scares, blending elements of dreamlike terrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes during something disturbing). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and presents them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render 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 subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and removed from his network of friends. He is terrified of the concept of totally forfeiting his sense of self in another person. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he can’t drive and needs Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together avoids making one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie grapple with the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship a decade in. Fundamentally, they still love each other. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these concerns of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that single viewers have interpreted the film as a strong argument for staying single. Meanwhile, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the ending plant anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your partner and say, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can experience at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
