We present a dare for long-term couples who enjoy scary movies: Get comfortable with your partner and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its streaming debut on Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like typical biological terror, but inside Together exists a deep contemplation about our choices in loving each other.
An Introductory Film Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for over ten years. Having wed in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a special spark to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The narrative commences when the couple move from the urban environment to the rural area for professional reasons. A familiar story element, sure, but that’s primarily where the conventions conclude. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration 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 two fall into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence begins influencing the duo. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past simple connection.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying horror experience, weaving in bits of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and delivers them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and removed from his network of friends. He fears the concept of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together avoids making Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Both characters grapple with the kind of problems that arise in most partnerships over a long period. At their core, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these fears of excessive reliance and fully committing to another person, the allegory avoids being overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a powerful case for remaining unattached. On the other hand, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could function as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the finale sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply look at your partner and utter, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can experience at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu now.
