We present a test for partners in committed relationships who enjoy the horror genre: Get comfortable with your partner and stream Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like typical biological terror, but beneath Together lies a deep examination about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have been together for over ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a particular energy to their roles, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The plot begins when Tim and Millie move from the big city to the country for her career. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, admittedly, but that’s largely where the tropes cease. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the two tumble into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a strange force begins influencing the couple. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a methodically building fright fest, interspersing elements of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes amidst something horrific). The director weaves these elements together neatly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and distant from his network of friends. He fears the idea of completely losing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is amplified by the fact he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together avoids making either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters confront the type of challenges that are inherent in long-term unions a decade in. Deep down, they continue to care for each other. They share moments of joy, offer support, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these anxieties of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism never feels overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that single viewers have understood the narrative as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Conversely, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your partner and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu at present.
