Here's a test for partners in committed relationships who enjoy scary movies: Get comfortable with your loved one and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its online premiere on Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like conventional biological terror, but within Together lies a profound examination about how we choose to love our partners.
A Directorial Debut Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together represents the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars contribute a special spark to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The story commences when Tim and Millie relocate from the urban environment to the country for her career. A commonly used plot device, of course, but that’s primarily where the conventions cease. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the two discover an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity takes hold of the couple. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a slow burn fright fest, interspersing moments of dreamlike terrors, gross (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). The director skillfully blends these components neatly and presents them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and far away from his social circle. He is terrified of the idea of completely losing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he can’t drive and needs Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie never makes Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that are inherent in long-term unions a decade in. At their core, they continue to care for each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these anxieties of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to another person, the symbolism never feels hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could function as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the finale plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your partner and say, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can embark on today.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu now.
