We present a challenge for partners in committed relationships who appreciate scary movies: Sit down with your partner and stream Together. The independent film success of 2025 has now made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. At first glance, it may seem like conventional physical horror, but inside Together lies a deep meditation about our choices in loving each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together marks the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for over ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the actors infuse a unique chemistry to their characters, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The story starts when Millie and Tim relocate from the metropolis to the country for professional reasons. A familiar plot device, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the tropes cease. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim tumble into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity begins influencing the duo. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying of scares, interspersing moments of fever-dream horrors, gross (but never too gross) physical transformations, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and removed from his network of friends. He dreads the concept of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in Together refrains from painting one partner or the other the obvious villain.
The couple face the kind of problems that are inherent in long-term unions after ten years. Fundamentally, they still love each other. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and open up 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 act as a metaphor for these fears of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to another person, the metaphor avoids being overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
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. Conversely, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could function as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the finale inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your significant other and utter, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can undertake today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform now.
