We present a dare for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate scary movies: Sit down with your loved one and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its streaming debut on Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like typical biological terror, but beneath Together exists a profound contemplation about our choices in loving our partners.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together is the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for ten years. Married in reality in 2017, the actors contribute a special spark to their roles, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The narrative commences when Tim and Millie transition from the metropolis to the rural area for Millie’s job. A commonly used narrative setup, of course, but that’s mostly where the conventions conclude. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their new home, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim discover an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity begins influencing the couple. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The entire film is a methodically building horror experience, blending elements of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes amidst something disturbing). The director orchestrates these parts seamlessly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and removed from his support system. He dreads the concept of completely losing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is amplified by the fact he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie refrains from painting either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Both characters confront the sort of issues that arise in most partnerships after ten years. At their core, they still love one another. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these fears of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to another person, the allegory does not come across as clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a powerful case for remaining unattached. On the other hand, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could act as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion inspire anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your other half and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can embark on today.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform now.
