Consider this a test for long-term couples who enjoy scary movies: Get comfortable with your significant other and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 has now made its online premiere via Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like conventional physical horror, but inside Together lies a profound examination about our choices in loving each other.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for over ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a particular energy to their characters, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The narrative commences when the couple relocate from the metropolis to the countryside for her career. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the tropes end. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their new home, a storm hits, and the two fall into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a strange force takes hold of the couple. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a slow burn fright fest, blending moments of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but tastefully done) body horror, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and wraps them up in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and far away from his network of friends. He is terrified of the notion of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in Together avoids making one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie confront the sort of issues that come with long-term unions a decade in. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these anxieties of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory never feels overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a powerful case for staying single. Conversely, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could act as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the finale inspire anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your partner and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can undertake today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu now.
