We present a test for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of scary movies: Sit down with your significant other and watch Together. This independent film success of 2025 recently had its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like standard physical horror, but within Together lies a profound contemplation about the ways we decide to love each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, the two stars infuse a unique chemistry to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The narrative starts when Millie and Tim move from the metropolis to the rural area for her career. A commonly used story element, of course, but that’s largely where the tropes cease. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their country house, a tempest descends, and the protagonists fall into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence takes hold of the couple. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past simple connection.
The whole movie is a slow burn horror experience, weaving in elements of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes amidst something horrific). Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and delivers them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and removed from his support system. He fears the concept of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision is that he refrains from painting one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
The couple grapple with the sort of issues that arise in most partnerships after ten years. Fundamentally, they still love one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor does not come across as overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that single viewers have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could function as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the ending inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply look at your partner and say, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can experience at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
