Consider this a test for partners in committed relationships who appreciate horror films: Get comfortable with your loved one and view Together. This independent film success of 2025 has now made its online premiere via Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like typical physical horror, but within Together lies a profound examination 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 stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for ten years. Having wed in actuality in 2017, the two stars contribute a special spark to their characters, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative starts when the couple transition from the big city to the countryside for her career. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, of course, but that’s primarily where the conventions end. Together transforms 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 country house, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists tumble into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a strange force begins influencing the duo. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The entire film is a slow burn of scares, blending elements of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes amidst something grotesque). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and delivers them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is only the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is suffering due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and far away from his social circle. He is terrified of the idea of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is amplified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together avoids making one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Both characters face the kind of problems that are inherent in any relationship a decade in. Fundamentally, they continue to care for each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these fears of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism never feels hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. On the other hand, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your other half and state, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
