We present a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy horror films: Get comfortable with your partner and view Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like conventional biological terror, but within Together exists a profound meditation about our choices in loving each other.
A Debut Feature Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, partners that have remained a couple for a decade. Married in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a special spark to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The plot begins when the couple relocate from the metropolis to the country for professional reasons. A familiar narrative setup, sure, but that’s mostly where the tropes end. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their country house, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim tumble into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity begins influencing the pair. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past simple connection.
The complete narrative is a slow burn horror experience, blending elements of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes during something grotesque). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and removed from his social circle. He is terrified of the idea of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie never makes one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie confront the sort of issues that come with any relationship over a long period. At their core, they still love one another. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these anxieties of excessive reliance and fully committing to another person, the symbolism never feels clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama serve the other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the finale sow anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your partner and say, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can undertake today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
