Consider this a dare for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate scary movies: Sit down with your significant other and stream Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its streaming debut on the Hulu service. At first glance, it might appear like standard physical horror, but inside Together exists a deep contemplation about our choices in loving each other.
A Directorial Debut Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for over ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, the two stars infuse a unique chemistry to their roles, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The story commences when the couple transition from the big city to the rural area for Millie’s job. A familiar plot device, admittedly, but that’s largely where the cliches conclude. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the two tumble into an underground cave. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity starts to affect the pair. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past simple connection.
The complete narrative is a methodically building fright fest, interspersing bits of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and presents them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is waning due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and far away from his network of friends. He is terrified of the concept of completely losing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is intensified by the reality he can’t drive and needs Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in Together avoids making one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that come with any relationship over a long period. At their core, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, offer support, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to another person, the metaphor does not come across as overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could function as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion inspire anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your significant other and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can undertake today.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
