Consider this a test for partners in committed relationships who enjoy scary movies: Settle in with your significant other and stream Together. This 2025 indie hit has now made its online premiere on the Hulu service. On the surface, it could look like typical physical horror, but beneath Together resides a profound examination about our choices in loving one another.
A Debut Feature Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, the actors contribute a special spark to their roles, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The plot commences when the couple move from the urban environment to the rural area for her career. A commonly used narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the tropes end. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim discover an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a strange force begins influencing the pair. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying fright fest, blending elements of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but tastefully done) body horror, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes during something horrific). Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and delivers them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is only the two lead actors, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and distant from his support system. He fears the concept of completely losing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he refrains from painting one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie grapple with the kind of problems that arise in long-term unions a decade in. Fundamentally, they continue to care for one another. They still laugh together, offer support, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to another person, the symbolism does not come across as overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights serve the other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could function as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the finale plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your significant other and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can experience right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
