We present a test for partners in committed relationships who are fans of scary movies: Sit down with your significant other and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 recently had its online premiere via Hulu. At first glance, it could look like standard body horror, but within Together resides a deep meditation about how we choose to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together represents the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have been together for ten years. Married in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a special spark to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The narrative begins when Millie and Tim transition from the metropolis to the rural area for Millie’s job. A commonly used story element, of course, but that’s mostly where the tropes cease. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the protagonists discover an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity starts to affect the duo. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The entire film is a slow burn fright fest, interspersing elements of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) body horror, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and delivers them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and removed from his network of friends. He dreads the notion of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision is that he avoids making Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Both characters face the kind of problems that are inherent in long-term unions a decade in. Fundamentally, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor avoids being hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal work together symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a strong argument for staying single. Conversely, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could function as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the finale inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply look at your significant other and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can undertake today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform at present.
