Consider this a dare for partners in committed relationships who enjoy scary movies: Sit down with your significant other and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its streaming debut on Hulu. On the surface, it could look like typical body horror, but inside Together exists a deep meditation about our choices in loving one another.
An Introductory Film Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for a decade. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the actors contribute a special spark to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The narrative starts when Millie and Tim move from the metropolis to the country for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the tropes cease. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the two discover an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a strange force takes hold of the duo. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The entire film is a slow burn of scares, blending bits of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes amidst something horrific). Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and removed from his network of friends. He fears the idea of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in another person. This fear is amplified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie refrains from painting one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie face the sort of issues that come with any relationship a decade in. At their core, they continue to care for each other. They find humor with each other, offer support, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor avoids being hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for staying single. On the other hand, some couples having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could act as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the finale sow anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your other half and state, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
