We present a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy horror films: Settle in with your partner and stream Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its streaming debut via Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like conventional biological terror, but beneath Together lies a intense contemplation about how we choose to love our partners.
A Debut Feature Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for a decade. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars bring a unique chemistry to their roles, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The plot commences when the couple move from the metropolis to the rural area for professional reasons. A commonly used narrative setup, sure, but that’s primarily where the tropes end. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking 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 mysterious influence starts to affect the couple. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a methodically building of scares, weaving in elements of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) body horror, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes during something grotesque). Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is suffering due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and far away from his social circle. He dreads the notion of completely losing his individual identity in another person. This fear is intensified by the fact he can’t drive and needs Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in Together refrains from painting either of his characters the definite antagonist.
The couple confront the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship after ten years. Fundamentally, they still love one another. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these fears of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could act as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the finale sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply look at your significant other and state, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can experience today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu now.
