We present a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of scary movies: Settle in with your partner and view Together. This independent film success of 2025 has now made its online premiere on the Hulu service. At first glance, it might appear like standard physical horror, but within Together exists a deep contemplation about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together marks the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for a decade. United in marriage in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a unique chemistry to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The story starts when the couple transition from the urban environment to the rural area for her career. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the tropes conclude. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the two tumble into an underground cave. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a strange force takes hold of the duo. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying fright fest, weaving in elements of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes amidst something grotesque). The director orchestrates these parts expertly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and removed from his support system. He fears the idea of completely losing his individual identity in another person. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he can’t drive and relies on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together avoids making one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Both characters face the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship over a long period. Fundamentally, they continue to care for each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these anxieties of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the metaphor avoids being clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the finale plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply look at your partner and state, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can experience today.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
