We present a dare for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate scary movies: Get comfortable with your loved one and watch Together. This independent film success of 2025 has now made its streaming debut via Hulu. On the surface, it could look like typical body horror, but within Together lies a profound examination about our choices in loving one another.
An Introductory Film Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have been together for a decade. Married in reality in 2017, the actors infuse a unique chemistry to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The story starts when Tim and Millie move from the urban environment to the country for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, sure, but that’s largely where the tropes cease. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their new home, a storm hits, and the protagonists fall into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence starts to affect the pair. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past simple connection.
The whole movie is a methodically building fright fest, weaving in bits of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and presents them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. 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 chase only his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and removed from his support system. He dreads the concept of completely losing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is intensified by the fact he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he never makes Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Both characters confront the type of challenges that are inherent in any relationship over a long period. At their core, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these concerns of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the metaphor never feels hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a strong argument for staying single. On the other hand, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could function as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion plant anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply turn to your other half and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can embark on today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu now.