Consider this a challenge for long-term couples who appreciate the horror genre: Get comfortable with your loved one and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its streaming debut on Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like conventional biological terror, but within Together resides a deep meditation about how we choose to love one another.
A Debut Feature Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, the actors contribute a special spark to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The narrative begins when Tim and Millie relocate from the metropolis to the country for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical story element, of course, but that’s mostly where the tropes cease. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the two fall into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a strange force starts to affect the duo. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying fright fest, blending bits of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). The director orchestrates these parts neatly and presents them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and far away from his network of friends. He fears the idea of totally forfeiting his individual identity in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together avoids making either of his characters the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie face the type of challenges that come with most partnerships over a long period. At their core, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these fears of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights work together in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, a few pairs 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 function as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion inspire anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your partner and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can embark on right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
