We present a test for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate scary movies: Settle in with your significant other and watch Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its streaming debut on Hulu. On the surface, it could look like standard body horror, but inside Together exists a deep examination about our choices in loving one another.
A Directorial Debut Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have been together for over ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the actors infuse a particular energy to their roles, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The plot starts when Tim and Millie relocate from the metropolis to the countryside for Millie’s job. A commonly used story element, of course, but that’s primarily where the cliches conclude. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim fall into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity takes hold of the couple. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying horror experience, interspersing elements of dreamlike terrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). The director orchestrates these parts seamlessly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is suffering due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and far away from his support system. He is terrified of the idea of completely losing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is intensified by the fact he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he refrains from painting Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
The couple face the sort of issues that come with long-term unions over a long period. Deep down, they still love each other. They still laugh together, offer support, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, some couples having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the ending plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply look at your partner and say, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu as of this moment.
