We present a challenge for long-term couples who are fans of horror films: Settle in with your partner and stream Together. The 2025 indie hit just made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. On the surface, it could look like typical biological terror, but beneath Together exists a profound contemplation about how we choose to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for over ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a particular energy to their characters, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative commences when Tim and Millie move from the metropolis to the rural area for Millie’s job. A commonly used plot device, of course, but that’s mostly where the conventions cease. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists discover an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity starts to affect the couple. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying of scares, interspersing bits of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes amidst something grotesque). The director orchestrates these parts expertly and presents them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and far away from his support system. He dreads the concept of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is intensified by the circumstance he can’t drive and needs Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie never makes either of his characters the obvious villain.
Both characters face the type of challenges that arise in any relationship a decade in. Fundamentally, they still love one another. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these concerns of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to another person, the allegory does not come across as clumsy or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, 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 strong argument for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could act as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the ending inspire anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your other half and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can experience at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
