Here's a dare for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate scary movies: Get comfortable with your significant other and stream Together. The independent film success of 2025 has now made its online premiere on the Hulu service. On the surface, it may seem like conventional physical horror, but beneath Together resides a profound examination about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Debut Feature Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together represents the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for ten years. Married in reality in 2017, the two stars infuse a special spark to their roles, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The plot commences when Tim and Millie transition from the metropolis to the country for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical story element, of course, but that’s primarily where the cliches end. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their country house, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim discover an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a strange force begins influencing the pair. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The complete narrative is a methodically building of scares, weaving in moments of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but tastefully done) body horror, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and delivers them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and distant from his network of friends. He dreads the concept of totally forfeiting his individual identity in another person. This fear is intensified by the fact he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he never makes one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Both characters confront the type of challenges that arise in most partnerships over a long period. Deep down, they still love one another. They find humor with each other, offer support, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these fears of codependency and fully committing to another person, the allegory does not come across as hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could act as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale sow anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your significant other and state, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can experience right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform at present.
