We present a test for long-term couples who are fans of horror films: Settle in with your loved one and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its online premiere on Hulu. At first glance, it could look like standard physical horror, but beneath Together lies a intense examination about how we choose to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together represents the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars bring a unique chemistry to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The story starts when Millie and Tim relocate from the metropolis to the countryside for her career. A commonly used plot device, sure, but that’s largely where the tropes conclude. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the protagonists tumble into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a strange force starts to affect the couple. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The whole movie is a methodically building fright fest, blending moments of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes during something grotesque). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and presents them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and removed from his network of friends. He is terrified of the idea of completely losing his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is intensified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he avoids making Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that are inherent in any relationship after ten years. At their core, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these concerns of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the allegory never feels overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Conversely, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could function as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the ending plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply look at your other half and state, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can experience right now.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
