Here's a dare for partners in committed relationships who enjoy the horror genre: Settle in with your significant other and view Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its streaming debut on the Hulu service. At first glance, it might appear like typical biological terror, but within Together exists a profound meditation about how we choose to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have been together for a decade. Having wed in reality in 2017, the two stars bring a particular energy to their characters, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The plot begins when Tim and Millie transition from the big city to the countryside for professional reasons. A familiar story element, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the cliches conclude. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the protagonists fall into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity starts to affect the couple. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past simple connection.
The entire film is a slow burn horror experience, blending bits of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes during something horrific). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and wraps them up in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is waning due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and removed from his support system. He dreads the idea of totally forfeiting his sense of self in his partner. This fear is intensified by the fact he can’t drive and needs Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together avoids making either of his characters the clear bad guy.
The couple grapple with the type of challenges that come with any relationship a decade in. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory does not come across as hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Conversely, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could act as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the ending sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your significant other and say, “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.
