Consider this a test for long-term couples who appreciate scary movies: Sit down with your loved one and stream Together. This 2025 indie hit has now made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. At first glance, it could look like standard physical horror, but inside Together resides a deep meditation about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for over ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a particular energy to their roles, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The story begins when Tim and Millie relocate from the urban environment to the rural area for her career. A commonly used narrative setup, of course, but that’s mostly where the conventions cease. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists tumble into an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity begins influencing the duo. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying of scares, weaving in elements of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but never too gross) physical transformations, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and distant from his support system. He dreads the idea of completely losing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he can’t drive and relies on Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie refrains from painting one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie face the type of challenges that come with long-term unions after ten years. Fundamentally, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the allegory does not come across as clumsy or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for staying single. Conversely, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could act as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your other half and state, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can undertake today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform now.
