We present a test for long-term couples who enjoy scary movies: Get comfortable with your partner and watch Together. This independent film success of 2025 has now made its streaming debut on Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like typical body horror, but inside Together lies a deep examination about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for over ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars contribute a unique chemistry to their characters, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The narrative starts when Millie and Tim move from the urban environment to the rural area for professional reasons. A commonly used narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the conventions 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 new home, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim fall into an underground cave. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity starts to affect the couple. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a slow burn of scares, interspersing moments of dreamlike terrors, gross (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes during something horrific). The director skillfully blends these components seamlessly and delivers them in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and far away from his social circle. He is terrified of the idea of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is amplified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he never makes either of his characters the definite antagonist.
The couple face the type of challenges that are inherent in long-term unions after ten years. Fundamentally, they continue to care for one another. They still laugh together, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the allegory avoids being overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for staying single. Meanwhile, some couples having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the ending inspire anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your significant other and state, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can experience today.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
