We present a challenge for partners in committed relationships who enjoy the horror genre: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. At first glance, it could look like standard physical horror, but beneath Together lies a deep meditation about how we choose to love one another.
An Introductory Film Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together is the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for a decade. United in marriage in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a unique chemistry to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The plot starts when Millie and Tim relocate from the big city to the countryside for Millie’s job. A commonly used narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the cliches cease. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their new home, a storm hits, and the two tumble into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence starts to affect the couple. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The entire film is a slow burn fright fest, blending bits of dreamlike terrors, gross (but never too gross) physical transformations, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes during something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and delivers them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and far away from his support system. He dreads the notion of totally forfeiting his sense of self in his partner. This fear is amplified by the reality he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie refrains from painting one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie grapple with the kind of problems that are inherent in any relationship after ten years. Deep down, they continue to care for each other. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these concerns of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism does not come across as overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights serve the other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Conversely, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply turn to your other half and utter, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can experience right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform at present.
