We present a test for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy the horror genre: Settle in with your partner and view Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. On the surface, it could look like standard body horror, but inside Together resides a profound examination about our choices in loving each other.
A Directorial Debut Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, the two stars infuse a special spark to their roles, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The plot commences when the couple transition from the urban environment to the countryside for her career. A commonly used story element, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the cliches cease. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim tumble into an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity takes hold of the duo. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a slow burn of scares, interspersing moments of fever-dream horrors, gross (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). The director weaves these elements together neatly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and far away from his support system. He fears the concept of completely losing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie never makes Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that are inherent in any relationship after ten years. At their core, they continue to care for each other. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these fears of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism does not come across as overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could function as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your other half and state, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can experience today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu as of this moment.
