We present a test for long-term couples who are fans of the horror genre: Settle in with your partner and view Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it could look like typical biological terror, but within Together exists a profound examination about the ways we decide to love our partners.
A Debut Feature Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for a decade. Married in real life in 2017, the actors infuse a unique chemistry to their characters, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The story starts when the couple move from the big city to the rural area for Millie’s job. 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 movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the two tumble into an underground cave. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a strange force begins influencing the duo. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The entire film is a slow burn of scares, interspersing elements of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes during something horrific). The director weaves these elements together neatly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is waning due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and far away from his network of friends. He fears the concept of totally forfeiting his individual identity in his partner. This fear is intensified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in Together refrains from painting either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie face the kind of problems that come with long-term unions a decade in. At their core, they continue to care for each other. They still laugh together, offer support, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these concerns of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the metaphor never feels hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights serve the other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, some couples having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion plant anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply turn to your partner and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu now.
