We present a dare for long-term couples who are fans of horror films: Sit down with your partner and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 recently had its online premiere on Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like standard physical horror, but within Together resides a profound contemplation about how we choose to love our partners.
A Debut Feature Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together represents the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for over ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the two stars bring a unique chemistry to their roles, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The plot begins when Tim and Millie relocate from the urban environment to the countryside for professional reasons. A commonly used plot device, sure, but that’s largely where the tropes end. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the two discover an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence begins influencing the duo. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying fright fest, weaving in moments of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is waning due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and removed from his support system. He dreads the concept of completely losing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together avoids making one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie grapple with the sort of issues that are inherent in most partnerships a decade in. Deep down, they still love one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these fears of excessive reliance and fully committing to another person, the metaphor avoids being hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, 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 compelling reason for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, some couples who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could function as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your partner and state, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
