Consider this a dare for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate scary movies: Settle in with your significant other and watch Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its streaming debut on Hulu. At first glance, it could look like conventional biological terror, but inside Together exists a profound meditation about how we choose to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together is the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a special spark to their characters, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The plot begins when Millie and Tim relocate from the metropolis to the country for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the cliches end. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the protagonists discover an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence takes hold of the pair. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The entire film is a slow burn of scares, weaving in moments of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but never too gross) body horror, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and delivers them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and far away from his social circle. He fears the idea of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie never makes Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Both characters grapple with the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship over a long period. Fundamentally, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor does not come across as hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama serve the other symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a powerful case for staying single. Meanwhile, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could function as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale sow anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your other half and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can experience at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform at present.
