Consider this a dare for long-term couples who appreciate horror films: Settle in with your loved one and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 has now made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it could look like conventional biological terror, but within Together exists a profound meditation about our choices in loving one another.
An Introductory Film Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for a decade. Having wed in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a special spark to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The narrative commences when the couple relocate from the urban environment to the rural area for Millie’s job. A commonly used narrative setup, sure, but that’s primarily where the conventions end. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their country house, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim fall into an underground cave. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a strange force starts to affect the couple. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a methodically building fright fest, interspersing bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and presents them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and distant from his support system. He fears the concept of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together refrains from painting Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie grapple with the kind of problems that come with any relationship over a long period. Fundamentally, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor never feels overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal work together symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a powerful case for staying single. Conversely, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion plant anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply look at your partner and state, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
