Consider this a test for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of the horror genre: Settle in with your significant other and view Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its streaming debut via Hulu. At first glance, it might appear like standard physical horror, but inside Together resides a profound examination about how we choose to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together represents the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for over ten years. Married in real life in 2017, the two stars bring a unique chemistry to their characters, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The plot commences when Tim and Millie transition from the big city to the rural area for Millie’s job. A familiar story element, sure, but that’s mostly where the conventions cease. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the two discover an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a strange force takes hold of the pair. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The entire film is a methodically building fright fest, weaving in bits of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes during something disturbing). The director skillfully blends these components seamlessly and wraps them up in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and far away from his social circle. He is terrified of the idea of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in another person. This fear is amplified by the fact he can’t drive and needs Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie never makes Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie face the kind of problems that arise in most partnerships over a long period. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They find humor with each other, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these fears of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory does not come across as hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a powerful case for staying single. On the other hand, some couples having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could act as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the ending sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your other half and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can experience today.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu now.
