Consider this a dare for partners in committed relationships who appreciate the horror genre: 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 might appear like typical biological terror, but beneath Together exists a deep examination about our choices in loving each other.
An Introductory Film Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for a decade. Married in reality in 2017, the two stars bring a unique chemistry to their roles, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The narrative starts when the couple move from the urban environment to the country for Millie’s job. A familiar story element, sure, but that’s primarily where the cliches conclude. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists tumble into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity begins influencing the couple. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The entire film is a methodically building fright fest, blending moments of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes during something horrific). The director skillfully blends these components neatly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and removed from his social circle. He fears the idea of totally forfeiting his sense of self in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie never makes Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
The couple face the type of challenges that are inherent in most partnerships after ten years. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They find humor with each other, offer support, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these concerns of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory never feels overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a strong argument for staying single. Conversely, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your other half and state, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can undertake right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu now.
