Consider this a challenge for partners in committed relationships who enjoy horror films: Get comfortable with your partner and view Together. This independent film success of 2025 recently had its streaming debut via Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like standard physical horror, but inside Together resides a profound meditation about how we choose to love each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for over ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a unique chemistry to their roles, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The story begins when Tim and Millie move from the urban environment to the countryside for her career. A familiar plot device, sure, but that’s largely where the conventions conclude. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the protagonists discover an underground cave. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a strange force takes hold of the duo. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a slow burn fright fest, blending moments of dreamlike terrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and removed from his network of friends. He dreads the concept of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he refrains from painting either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie face the sort of issues that are inherent in long-term unions after ten years. Fundamentally, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, offer support, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these concerns of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the allegory never feels overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. It has been said that single viewers have seen the movie as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, 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 potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the finale plant anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your significant other and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can undertake today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu as of this moment.
