We present a test for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of scary movies: Get comfortable with your significant other and view Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its streaming debut on Hulu. At first glance, it could look like conventional physical horror, but beneath Together resides a intense examination about our choices in loving our partners.
An Introductory Film Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for over ten years. Married in reality in 2017, the two stars infuse a special spark to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The plot begins when the couple move from the big city to the countryside for Millie’s job. A familiar plot device, sure, but that’s primarily where the cliches cease. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the two discover an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity begins influencing the duo. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying of scares, interspersing moments of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). The director weaves these elements together neatly and presents them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is waning due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and far away from his network of friends. He is terrified of the idea of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he never makes Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie grapple with the type of challenges that are inherent in long-term unions over a long period. Fundamentally, they continue to care for each other. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these fears of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory does not come across as clumsy or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama work together symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a powerful case for staying single. On the other hand, certain partners having disagreements found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could act as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply look at your significant other and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can experience right now.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu now.
