Here's a challenge for partners in committed relationships who enjoy scary movies: Settle in with your loved one and watch Together. This independent film success of 2025 recently had its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. At first glance, it could look like typical physical horror, but inside Together exists a deep meditation about how we choose to love one another.
A Debut Feature Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for over ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a unique chemistry to their characters, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The narrative commences when Millie and Tim relocate from the metropolis to the countryside for Millie’s job. A familiar plot device, sure, but that’s mostly where the conventions end. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their new home, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim tumble into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence starts to affect the couple. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a slow burn fright fest, blending bits of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and removed from his network of friends. He fears the notion of completely losing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he refrains from painting one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie grapple with the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship a decade in. Deep down, they continue to care for each other. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the metaphor does not come across as hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that single viewers have interpreted the film as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, some couples experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could act as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the finale plant anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply look at your significant other and state, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can experience right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
