Consider this a challenge for partners in committed relationships who appreciate horror films: Settle in with your significant other and stream Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its online premiere on Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like standard physical horror, but within Together exists a deep meditation about our choices in loving each other.
A Directorial Debut Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together represents the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for over ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, the actors bring a special spark to their roles, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The narrative begins when the couple move from the urban environment to the countryside for Millie’s job. A commonly used narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s largely where the conventions conclude. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists fall into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity starts to affect the duo. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying of scares, blending bits of dreamlike terrors, gross (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and wraps them up in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and distant from his social circle. He is terrified of the notion of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he refrains from painting either of his characters the obvious villain.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that are inherent in most partnerships a decade in. Deep down, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, offer support, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these concerns of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory never feels hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Conversely, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your significant other and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can embark on today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu at present.
