We present a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of horror films: Settle in with your partner and stream 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 intense contemplation about the ways we decide to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for over ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a special spark to their roles, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The plot commences when the couple transition from the urban environment to the country for professional reasons. A commonly used narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s largely where the cliches cease. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their country house, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim discover an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity begins influencing the duo. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a slow burn of scares, blending moments of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). The director skillfully blends these components neatly and presents them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and far away from his network of friends. He fears the idea of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie avoids making Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Both characters face the kind of problems that come with long-term unions after ten years. At their core, they have affection for one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to another person, the metaphor does not come across as overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama serve the other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could act as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the ending plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply look at your other half and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can undertake today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu now.
