We present a challenge for partners in committed relationships who enjoy scary movies: Settle in with your partner and stream Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its online premiere on Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like conventional biological terror, but inside Together exists a intense meditation about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Debut Feature Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for over ten years. Having wed in actuality in 2017, the two stars infuse a unique chemistry to their roles, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The plot starts when the couple transition from the big city to the country for her career. A commonly used narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s largely where the conventions cease. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their country house, a tempest descends, and the protagonists discover an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence takes hold of the couple. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a methodically building horror experience, weaving in bits of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes during something grotesque). Shanks skillfully blends these components seamlessly and delivers them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and removed from his network of friends. He dreads the idea of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together avoids making Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie confront the type of challenges that arise in most partnerships a decade in. At their core, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the metaphor does not come across as clumsy or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that single viewers have seen the movie as a compelling reason for staying single. On the other hand, 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 perceive partnership. Will the conclusion inspire anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply turn to your significant other and state, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can experience today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu now.
