We present a dare for partners in committed relationships who appreciate horror films: Settle in with your loved one and view Together. The independent film success of 2025 has now made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. At first glance, it could look like typical biological terror, but beneath Together exists a deep contemplation about the ways we decide to love each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together represents the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for over ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars bring a special spark to their characters, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The narrative starts when Tim and Millie move from the big city to the rural area for professional reasons. A commonly used plot device, of course, but that’s primarily where the conventions end. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim discover an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence begins influencing the couple. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a slow burn horror experience, interspersing elements of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) body horror, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes amidst something horrific). The director weaves these elements together expertly and presents them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is only the two lead actors, and they masterfully render countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his floundering music career gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and distant from his support system. He dreads the idea of completely losing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he can’t drive and relies on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie never makes one partner or the other the obvious villain.
The couple confront the sort of issues that arise in most partnerships over a long period. At their core, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these concerns of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to another person, the metaphor never feels overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a strong argument for remaining unattached. On the other hand, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could act as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your partner and state, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can undertake today.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu at present.
