We present a challenge for long-term couples who enjoy scary movies: Sit down with your significant other and view Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its online premiere via Hulu. On the surface, it could look like typical body horror, but inside Together lies a intense contemplation about how we choose to love one another.
An Introductory Film Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together represents the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for a decade. Having wed in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a particular energy to their characters, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The plot commences when Millie and Tim move from the metropolis to the rural area for Millie’s job. A commonly used story element, admittedly, but that’s largely where the tropes conclude. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the protagonists discover an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a strange force begins influencing the duo. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying fright fest, blending bits of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes amidst something horrific). Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and presents them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they masterfully render countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his floundering music career inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and distant from his social circle. He fears the concept of completely losing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together never makes Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Both characters confront the sort of issues that come with any relationship over a long period. Fundamentally, they continue to care for each other. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these fears of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in harmony.
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 strong argument for remaining unattached. Conversely, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could act as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the finale sow anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your significant other and say, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can embark on today.
Together is streaming on Hulu at present.
