We present a test for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate scary movies: Settle in with your loved one and watch Together. This independent film success of 2025 recently had its streaming debut on Hulu. At first glance, it could look like conventional physical horror, but beneath Together exists a profound meditation about our choices in loving each other.
A Debut Feature Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together represents the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, the actors contribute a special spark to their roles, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The plot commences when Millie and Tim move from the urban environment to the country for professional reasons. A familiar story element, sure, but that’s primarily where the conventions end. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their country house, a tempest descends, and the two tumble into an underground cave. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity begins influencing the duo. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The whole movie is a slow burn fright fest, interspersing moments of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and presents them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and removed from his network of friends. He dreads the idea of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision is that he never makes either of his characters the definite antagonist.
The couple face the kind of problems that are inherent in long-term unions over a long period. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They find humor with each other, offer support, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these concerns of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory never feels overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion plant anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your other half and say, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can experience today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu at present.
