We present a test for long-term couples who appreciate scary movies: Sit down with your significant other and view Together. The independent film success of 2025 has now made its streaming debut via Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like typical biological terror, but beneath Together exists a intense examination about how we choose to love our partners.
A Debut Feature Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, partners that have remained a couple for over ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars bring a particular energy to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The story commences when the couple move from the urban environment to the rural area for her career. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s largely where the conventions end. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists fall into an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a strange force starts to affect the duo. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past simple connection.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying fright fest, interspersing bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but never too gross) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes amidst something horrific). The director orchestrates these parts expertly and wraps them up in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and distant from his network of friends. He dreads the idea of completely losing his sense of self in another person. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together never makes one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
The couple grapple with the kind of problems that come with long-term unions a decade in. Deep down, they still love one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the symbolism avoids being hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could act as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply look at your other half and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can experience right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu now.
