Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate the horror genre: Settle in with your partner and stream Together. The independent film success of 2025 has now made its streaming debut via Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like typical physical horror, but beneath Together resides a profound meditation about how we choose to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together is the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the actors infuse a unique chemistry to their characters, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The story starts when Tim and Millie relocate from the urban environment to the country for her career. A somewhat stereotypical story element, of course, but that’s primarily where the conventions conclude. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their new home, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim tumble into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a strange force begins influencing the pair. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The entire film is a slow burn horror experience, blending bits of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is suffering due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and distant from his social circle. He is terrified of the idea of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in Together avoids making Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
The couple confront 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 are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these anxieties of codependency and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the allegory does not come across as clumsy or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. On the other hand, some couples having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your other half and say, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform now.
