We present a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of scary movies: Sit down with your significant other and stream Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its online premiere via Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like typical biological terror, but inside Together resides a intense meditation about the ways we decide to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together is the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for a decade. Having wed in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a unique chemistry to their roles, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The plot commences when Tim and Millie relocate from the urban environment to the countryside for Millie’s job. A familiar narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the conventions end. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists fall into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity takes hold of the duo. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The entire film is a methodically building fright fest, blending bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but never too gross) physical transformations, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and presents them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his floundering music career gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and distant from his network of friends. He fears the notion of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is intensified by the fact he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision is that he avoids making one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Both characters grapple with the kind of problems that come with any relationship a decade in. At their core, they continue to care for each other. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the symbolism avoids being hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights work together in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. It has been said that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could act as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, 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 state, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can experience at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu now.
