Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy the horror genre: Settle in with your significant other and watch Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like conventional biological terror, but beneath Together lies a profound examination about how we choose to love each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for a decade. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the actors infuse a unique chemistry to their roles, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The plot commences when Tim and Millie relocate from the metropolis to the countryside for her career. A familiar plot device, of course, but that’s mostly where the conventions conclude. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists tumble into an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a strange force begins influencing the couple. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past simple connection.
The entire film is a methodically building fright fest, weaving in moments of dreamlike terrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes during something grotesque). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and far away from his network of friends. He fears the concept of totally forfeiting his individual identity in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he never makes Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Both characters face the kind of problems that are inherent in most partnerships over a long period. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor never feels overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that single viewers have seen the movie as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. On the other hand, certain partners having disagreements found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could act as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the ending plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply look at your partner and state, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform now.
