We present a dare for long-term couples who appreciate the horror genre: Settle in with your significant other and view Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it could look like typical physical horror, but inside Together resides a intense examination about the ways we decide to love each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together is the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, partners that have been together for over ten years. Married in reality in 2017, the two stars infuse a special spark to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The plot starts when the couple transition from the big city to the country for her career. A somewhat stereotypical story element, of course, but that’s largely where the conventions conclude. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the two fall into an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity starts to affect the pair. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a methodically building fright fest, weaving in bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and wraps them up in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his floundering music career inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and removed from his network of friends. He dreads the concept of totally forfeiting his sense of self in Millie. This fear is intensified by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision in Together avoids making either of his characters the clear bad guy.
The couple face the kind of problems that are inherent in most partnerships after ten years. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of codependency and totally devoting oneself to another person, the allegory does not come across as clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Conversely, some couples experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could act as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the finale inspire anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your significant other and say, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can undertake today.
Together is streaming on Hulu now.
