We present a challenge for partners in committed relationships who enjoy scary movies: Get comfortable with your loved one and stream Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its online premiere on the Hulu service. On the surface, it might appear like conventional physical horror, but beneath Together lies a deep meditation about how we choose to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together is the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for over ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the actors bring a unique chemistry to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The story commences when Tim and Millie transition from the metropolis to the rural area for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical story element, of course, but that’s mostly where the conventions conclude. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the two discover an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a strange force starts to affect the pair. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a methodically building horror experience, interspersing moments of fever-dream horrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes during something grotesque). The director orchestrates these parts expertly and delivers them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is only the two lead actors, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. 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 isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and removed from his social circle. He fears the concept of totally forfeiting his individual identity in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he can’t drive and needs Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he refrains from painting Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Both characters grapple with the kind of problems that come with any relationship after ten years. At their core, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these concerns of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to another person, the symbolism does not come across as clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a powerful case for staying single. Meanwhile, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could act as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion plant anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your partner and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can embark on today.
Together is streaming on Hulu as of this moment.
