We present a challenge for long-term couples who enjoy scary movies: Get comfortable with your significant other and watch Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like standard body horror, but within Together exists a intense examination about the ways we decide to love one another.
An Introductory Film Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, partners that have stayed together for a decade. Having wed in actuality in 2017, the two stars contribute a particular energy to their characters, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The plot begins when Tim and Millie relocate from the urban environment to the rural area for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the tropes end. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their new home, a storm hits, and the two tumble into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity begins influencing the couple. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past simple connection.
The entire film is a slow burn of scares, interspersing bits of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and wraps them up in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his floundering music career gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and distant from his social circle. He dreads the concept of completely losing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is intensified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie avoids making either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters face the kind of problems that are inherent in any relationship after ten years. At their core, they still love one another. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these fears of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to another person, the symbolism never feels overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights work together symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Conversely, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your significant other and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform now.
