Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate scary movies: Sit down with your loved one and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it may seem like standard body horror, but beneath Together lies a deep contemplation about how we choose to love one another.
A Debut Feature Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a particular energy to their characters, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The story begins when Millie and Tim move from the big city to the countryside for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, sure, but that’s largely where the cliches end. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their country house, a tempest descends, and the two fall into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence begins influencing the couple. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying fright fest, interspersing moments of dreamlike terrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes during something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and presents them in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is only the two lead actors, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and distant from his support system. He is terrified of the idea of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together never makes Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie confront the sort of issues that are inherent in most partnerships a decade in. Fundamentally, they continue to care for each other. They share moments of joy, offer support, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of codependency and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the metaphor never feels clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could function as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the finale sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your partner and say, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is streaming on Hulu at present.
