We present a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate scary movies: Settle in with your partner and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its streaming debut on the Hulu service. On the surface, it might appear like conventional physical horror, but beneath Together resides a deep meditation about how we choose to love one another.
A Debut Feature Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for a decade. Having wed in actuality in 2017, the actors bring a special spark to their characters, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The story begins when Millie and Tim relocate from the big city to the rural area for Millie’s job. A commonly used story element, of course, but that’s primarily where the tropes cease. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the two tumble into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a strange force takes hold of the couple. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying fright fest, blending bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and wraps them up in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and removed from his network of friends. He is terrified of the notion of totally forfeiting his sense of self in Millie. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he refrains from painting Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Both characters grapple with the kind of problems that come with long-term unions a decade in. Fundamentally, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these concerns of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory never feels overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Conversely, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could act as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the ending sow anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply look at your other half and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can experience today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu as of this moment.
