Here's a dare for partners in committed relationships who are fans of horror films: Settle in with your loved one and watch Together. This independent film success of 2025 recently had its online premiere on Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like typical physical horror, but inside Together exists a deep meditation about how we choose to love one another.
A Debut Feature Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for a decade. Married in real life in 2017, the actors bring a unique chemistry to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The plot commences when Millie and Tim transition from the metropolis to the countryside for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, of course, but that’s mostly where the cliches conclude. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their new home, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim fall into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity begins influencing the duo. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The entire film is a slow burn fright fest, interspersing moments of dreamlike terrors, gross (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes during something horrific). Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and presents them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and removed from his support system. He fears the notion of completely losing his sense of self in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together refrains from painting Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie grapple with the kind of problems that come with long-term unions after ten years. Fundamentally, they continue to care for each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these concerns of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism does not come across as hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have seen the movie as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could act as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the finale inspire anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply look at your significant other and say, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can experience at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
