Consider this a test for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate scary movies: Get comfortable with your significant other and watch Together. This independent film success of 2025 has now made its online premiere on Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like standard body horror, but inside Together exists a profound contemplation about how we choose to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a unique chemistry to their characters, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The narrative begins when the couple move from the big city to the rural area for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical story element, sure, but that’s primarily where the tropes conclude. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the two tumble into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence starts to affect the duo. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a slow burn fright fest, weaving in elements of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and presents them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is only the two lead actors, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and distant from his network of friends. He fears the notion of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he avoids making either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Both characters confront the type of challenges that arise in any relationship a decade in. Deep down, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these concerns of codependency and totally devoting oneself to another person, the metaphor never feels hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Conversely, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your partner and state, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can embark on right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
