We present a test for long-term couples who enjoy scary movies: Get comfortable with your loved one and stream Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its online premiere on Hulu. Outwardly, it may seem like conventional physical horror, but beneath Together lies a deep meditation about how we choose to love one another.
An Introductory Film Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, the two stars infuse a special spark to their characters, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The narrative begins when Millie and Tim move from the big city to the rural area for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the conventions end. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their new home, a storm hits, and the protagonists tumble into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence starts to affect the couple. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a slow burn fright fest, interspersing elements of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes during something disturbing). Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and presents them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and removed from his support system. He dreads the concept of totally forfeiting his individual identity in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in Together avoids making Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Both characters face the sort of issues that come with most partnerships after ten years. Fundamentally, they continue to care for each other. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the metaphor does not come across as hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Conversely, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion inspire anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your other half and say, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can experience right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu now.
