We present a dare for long-term couples who enjoy scary movies: Settle in with your significant other and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its online premiere on Hulu. Outwardly, it may seem like typical body horror, but beneath Together exists a profound contemplation about how we choose to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, partners that have remained a couple for ten years. Married in real life in 2017, the two stars contribute a unique chemistry to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The story begins when Tim and Millie relocate from the big city to the countryside for Millie’s job. A commonly used plot device, of course, but that’s largely where the conventions conclude. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their new home, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim discover an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a strange force starts to affect the couple. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The entire film is a slow burn of scares, interspersing elements of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but never too gross) body horror, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and delivers them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is only the two lead actors, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and distant from his network of friends. He dreads the notion of totally forfeiting his sense of self in his partner. This fear is amplified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie avoids making either of his characters the obvious villain.
The couple confront the kind of problems that come with most partnerships after ten years. Fundamentally, they still love one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these concerns of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism never feels overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Conversely, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could function as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the ending plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your significant other and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can embark on right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform at present.
