Consider this a challenge for long-term couples who appreciate scary movies: Settle in with your partner and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 has now made its online premiere on Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like standard biological terror, but within Together resides a profound contemplation about our choices in loving our partners.
A Debut Feature Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for over ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars contribute a particular energy to their characters, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The story commences when the couple relocate from the urban environment to the countryside for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical story element, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the tropes end. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their country house, a tempest descends, and the protagonists tumble into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence begins influencing the duo. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The complete narrative is a slow burn of scares, interspersing moments of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). The director skillfully blends these components seamlessly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and far away from his support system. He fears the concept of totally forfeiting his sense of self in Millie. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he can’t drive and needs Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he refrains from painting one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie grapple with the type of challenges that are inherent in long-term unions over a long period. Deep down, they still love one another. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to another person, the allegory avoids being hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present 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 ending, which remains unspoiled, 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 powerful case for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could function as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion inspire anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your other half and say, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can embark on today.
Together is streaming on Hulu at present.
