We present a test for partners in committed relationships who appreciate scary movies: Sit down with your partner and stream Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like standard body horror, but beneath Together resides a profound contemplation about our choices in loving our partners.
A Debut Feature Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for over ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars infuse a particular energy to their roles, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The story begins when Tim and Millie relocate from the big city to the country for professional reasons. A familiar story element, sure, but that’s mostly where the tropes cease. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their country house, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim fall into an underground cave. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity takes hold of the pair. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying fright fest, weaving in moments of fever-dream horrors, gross (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). The director weaves these elements together neatly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and far away from his social circle. He is terrified of the concept of completely losing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is intensified by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he never makes either of his characters the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie confront the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship over a long period. Deep down, they still love 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 paranormal elements in Together symbolize these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism never feels overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal work together symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, some couples having disagreements found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could act as a great barometer 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 either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply turn to your significant other and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can experience today.
Together is streaming on Hulu now.
