Consider this a test for partners in committed relationships who enjoy scary movies: Sit down with your loved one and stream Together. This 2025 indie hit has now made its streaming debut on Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like standard biological terror, but inside Together exists a deep contemplation about our choices in loving our partners.
A Debut Feature Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, the two stars contribute a unique chemistry to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The plot begins when Tim and Millie relocate from the big city to the country for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, sure, but that’s primarily where the cliches end. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists discover an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence starts to affect the pair. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The complete narrative is a slow burn of scares, interspersing bits of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and delivers them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his floundering music career inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and far away from his support system. He fears the idea of totally forfeiting his sense of self in Millie. This fear is intensified by the fact he can’t drive and relies on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together never makes one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Both characters face the kind of problems that come with long-term unions after ten years. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these anxieties of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the allegory never feels hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a brilliant analogue 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 remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Conversely, some couples having disagreements found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could act as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply look at your other half and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu as of this moment.
