We present a test for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of scary movies: Settle in with your partner and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its streaming debut via Hulu. At first glance, it could look like typical biological terror, but within Together resides a profound contemplation about our choices in loving one another.
A Debut Feature Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for ten years. Married in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a special spark to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The plot commences when Millie and Tim relocate from the urban environment to the countryside for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, of course, but that’s mostly where the tropes conclude. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the protagonists fall into an underground cave. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a strange force begins influencing the pair. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a methodically building fright fest, blending moments of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and presents them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and distant from his network of friends. He fears the notion of completely losing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is amplified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he refrains from painting Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Both characters grapple with the sort of issues that are inherent in long-term unions over a long period. Fundamentally, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
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 avoids being overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Conversely, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could function as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the finale inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your partner and utter, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can embark on today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
