We present a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy the horror genre: Get comfortable with your loved one and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. At first glance, it could look like typical physical horror, but within Together resides a deep contemplation about the ways we decide to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for a decade. Having wed in actuality in 2017, the actors infuse a unique chemistry to their roles, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The plot begins when Millie and Tim move from the metropolis to the rural area for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, sure, but that’s primarily where the tropes cease. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the two discover an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a strange force begins influencing the couple. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying horror experience, weaving in bits of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes amidst something horrific). Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and delivers them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and far away from his support system. He is terrified of the concept of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he can’t drive and needs Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie never makes one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Both characters confront the sort of issues that are inherent in long-term unions over a long period. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They share moments of joy, offer support, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these fears of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the allegory avoids being hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a powerful case for staying single. Conversely, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your other half and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can undertake right now.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu at present.
