We present a dare for partners in committed relationships who appreciate horror films: Sit down with your significant other and view Together. This independent film success of 2025 recently had its streaming debut on the Hulu service. On the surface, it could look like typical physical horror, but inside Together lies a deep examination about how we choose to love one another.
An Introductory Film Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for ten years. Having wed in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a special spark to their characters, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative begins when Millie and Tim transition from the big city to the countryside for her career. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the conventions end. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the two fall into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a strange force starts to affect the couple. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The complete narrative is a methodically building of scares, interspersing elements of dreamlike terrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). The director weaves these elements together neatly and wraps them up in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his floundering music career inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and far away from his social circle. He fears the idea of totally forfeiting his sense of self in another person. This fear is intensified by the fact he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he refrains from painting one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Both characters grapple with the kind of problems that are inherent in any relationship a decade in. Fundamentally, they continue to care for each other. They still laugh together, offer support, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these fears of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor does not come across as hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, some couples having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the finale inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your significant other and state, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can undertake right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu as of this moment.
