Here's a test for partners in committed relationships 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 may seem like typical physical horror, but beneath Together lies a deep examination about the ways we decide to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for over ten years. Married in reality in 2017, the two stars contribute a special spark to their characters, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The story starts when Tim and Millie transition from the big city to the rural area for her career. A commonly used plot device, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the cliches conclude. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their new home, a storm hits, and the two discover an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a strange force begins influencing the pair. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The complete narrative is a slow burn horror experience, blending moments of dreamlike terrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). The director orchestrates these parts expertly and delivers them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and distant from his support system. He fears the notion of completely losing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie refrains from painting Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie face the sort of issues that are inherent in most partnerships over a long period. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these concerns of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism never feels hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights serve the other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for staying single. Meanwhile, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. 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 look at your partner and utter, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu at present.
