This New Horror Film Can Be Streamed, and It Could Strengthen or Shatter Your Relationship.

Here's a challenge for long-term couples who enjoy the horror genre: Get comfortable with your significant other and view Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its streaming debut via Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like conventional body horror, but beneath Together resides a deep contemplation about how we choose to love one another.

A Directorial Debut Exploring Relationship Dynamics

Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, the actors contribute a particular energy to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.

The story starts when the couple relocate from the metropolis to the country for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical story element, of course, but that’s mostly where the conventions conclude. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.

A Paranormal Spark

While walking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the two tumble into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity begins influencing the pair. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past typical partnership.

The entire film is a gradually intensifying fright fest, blending moments of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and delivers them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.

Nuanced Portrayals

A large part of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career gradually emerges.

Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and far away from his social circle. He fears the concept of totally forfeiting his sense of self in his partner. This fear is amplified by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for getting around.

The director's cleverest decision in Together avoids making either of his characters the definite antagonist.

The couple face the type of challenges that are inherent in long-term unions after ten years. At their core, they continue to care for one another. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their relationship.

Allegory and Meaning

While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of codependency and fully committing to another person, the symbolism avoids being clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal work together symbiotically.

A Controversial Conclusion

Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that single viewers have understood the narrative as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Conversely, certain partners having disagreements found that the film actually helped them reconcile.

Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending sow anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply turn to your other half and state, “I understand that choice”?

Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can experience right now.

Together is streaming on Hulu's platform as of this moment.