Consider this a test for partners in committed relationships who enjoy horror films: Get comfortable with your loved one and stream Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its streaming debut on Hulu. At first glance, it might appear like typical body horror, but inside Together lies a deep meditation about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together is the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for a decade. Married in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a unique chemistry to their characters, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The narrative commences when the couple relocate from the metropolis to the country for professional reasons. A familiar story element, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the tropes conclude. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their country house, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim tumble into an underground cave. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity begins influencing the pair. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past simple connection.
The complete narrative is a methodically building of scares, blending bits of dreamlike terrors, gross (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes amidst something horrific). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and wraps them up in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and far away from his network of friends. He fears the notion of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in another person. This fear is amplified by the fact he can’t drive and needs Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he never makes either of his characters the definite antagonist.
The couple face the type of challenges that are inherent in any relationship a decade in. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these anxieties of codependency and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the symbolism avoids being overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights work together symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Conversely, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could function as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the ending plant anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply look at your partner and state, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can experience today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
