We present a dare for long-term couples who are fans of scary movies: Sit down with your significant other and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 has now made its online premiere on the Hulu service. On the surface, it might appear like conventional body horror, but beneath Together resides a profound meditation about how we choose to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a special spark to their roles, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The story starts when Millie and Tim relocate from the big city to the countryside for her career. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s largely where the tropes conclude. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim tumble into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence takes hold of the couple. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying horror experience, blending elements of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and distant from his social circle. He dreads the concept of totally forfeiting his individual identity in another person. This fear is intensified by the fact he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in Together never makes either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Both characters confront the type of challenges that come with any relationship after ten years. At their core, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these concerns of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that single viewers have seen the movie as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. On the other hand, some couples having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply turn to your other half and say, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can undertake right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform now.
