Consider this a challenge for long-term couples who appreciate horror films: Sit down with your significant other and stream Together. This 2025 indie hit just made its streaming debut via Hulu. Outwardly, it may seem like typical biological terror, but within Together exists a intense meditation about our choices in loving each other.
A Debut Feature Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together is the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have been together for ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, the actors infuse a special spark to their roles, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The story starts when Millie and Tim relocate from the big city to the rural area for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, of course, but that’s primarily where the conventions end. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim fall into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity begins influencing the pair. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The whole movie is a slow burn of scares, interspersing moments of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes during something horrific). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and presents them in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is suffering due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and removed from his support system. He is terrified of the concept of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he can’t drive and needs Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he refrains from painting Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
The couple grapple with the kind of problems that are inherent in most partnerships over a long period. Deep down, they still love one another. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the metaphor avoids being hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, some couples who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply turn to your partner and state, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can experience right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu as of this moment.
