We present a dare for long-term couples who appreciate scary movies: Settle in with your significant other and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. At first glance, it might appear like typical physical horror, but inside Together exists a profound examination about our choices in loving our partners.
An Introductory Film Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have remained a couple for a decade. United in marriage in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a unique chemistry to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The story begins when Tim and Millie relocate from the urban environment to the country for her career. A commonly used narrative setup, of course, but that’s largely where the cliches cease. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the two fall into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a strange force takes hold of the duo. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a slow burn of scares, interspersing bits of dreamlike terrors, gross (but tastefully done) body horror, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes amidst something horrific). Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and delivers them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and removed from his social circle. He fears the concept of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he can’t drive and needs Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie avoids making Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
The couple confront the type of challenges that arise in most partnerships a decade in. Deep down, they continue to care for one another. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the symbolism avoids being clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights serve the other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, some couples experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could function as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the finale sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply look at your partner and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can undertake right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
