We present a challenge for partners in committed relationships who are fans of the horror genre: Settle in with your loved one and stream Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its streaming debut on the Hulu service. At first glance, it may seem like typical biological terror, but within Together exists a intense examination about how we choose to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for over ten years. Married in reality in 2017, the two stars bring a special spark to their roles, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The narrative starts when Tim and Millie move from the urban environment to the rural area for Millie’s job. A familiar plot device, admittedly, but that’s largely where the tropes cease. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the two tumble into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a strange force begins influencing the pair. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a slow burn of scares, weaving in elements of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes during something grotesque). Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and delivers them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and far away from his network of friends. He dreads the concept of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie avoids making one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
The couple confront the kind of problems that are inherent in most partnerships a decade in. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, offer support, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these concerns of codependency and fully committing to another person, the metaphor does not come across as clumsy or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. On the other hand, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your other half and state, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can experience at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
