Consider this a test for partners in committed relationships who enjoy scary movies: Get comfortable with your partner and view Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its online premiere on Hulu. At first glance, it might appear like standard body horror, but beneath Together resides a deep meditation about how we choose to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together represents the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have stayed together for over ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a unique chemistry to their characters, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The story starts when the couple relocate from the urban environment to the rural area for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, sure, but that’s mostly where the conventions end. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists discover an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a strange force begins influencing the duo. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The entire film is a methodically building fright fest, interspersing elements of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and delivers them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and distant from his network of friends. He is terrified of the idea of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together avoids making one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
The couple grapple with the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship after ten years. Fundamentally, they still love one another. They find humor with each other, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these concerns of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the allegory does not come across as hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have interpreted the film as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could act as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your other half and state, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can undertake right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu at present.
