Consider this a test for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy horror films: Get comfortable with your loved one and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its streaming debut on Hulu. On the surface, it could look like standard biological terror, but beneath Together resides a deep examination about our choices in loving our partners.
A Debut Feature Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for ten years. Married in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a special spark to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The story starts when the couple relocate from the urban environment to the countryside for professional reasons. A commonly used narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the cliches conclude. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the two tumble into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a strange force takes hold of the couple. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past simple connection.
The complete narrative is a methodically building horror experience, weaving in bits of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes during something grotesque). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and delivers them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and removed from his support system. He is terrified of the concept of completely losing his sense of self in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together refrains from painting one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Both characters grapple with the sort of issues that arise in most partnerships over a long period. Fundamentally, they still love one another. They still laugh together, offer support, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to another person, the allegory does not come across as clumsy or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Conversely, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the ending plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your other half and state, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu at present.
