We present a challenge for long-term couples who enjoy scary movies: Sit down with your partner and view Together. This independent film success of 2025 recently had its streaming debut on the Hulu service. At first glance, it could look like typical physical horror, but beneath Together lies a deep meditation about how we choose to love our partners.
A Directorial Debut Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together represents the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for a decade. Having wed in real life in 2017, the actors infuse a special spark to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The story begins when Tim and Millie transition from the metropolis to the countryside for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, sure, but that’s mostly where the cliches end. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the two discover an underground cave. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity starts to affect the couple. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a slow burn of scares, interspersing elements of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but never too gross) body horror, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and presents them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness 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 left the city and removed from his social circle. He dreads the concept of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he can’t drive and relies on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie avoids making Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Both characters face the kind of problems that come with most partnerships a decade in. Fundamentally, they continue to care for one another. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of codependency and totally devoting oneself to another person, the symbolism never feels clumsy or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a powerful case for staying single. On the other hand, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your other half and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can embark on right now.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu at present.
