We present a challenge for long-term couples who enjoy the horror genre: Get comfortable with your partner and view Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its streaming debut on Hulu. Outwardly, it may seem like conventional physical horror, but within Together exists a intense meditation about the ways we decide to love our partners.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together marks the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for a decade. Married in reality in 2017, the actors bring a unique chemistry to their roles, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The narrative begins when Tim and Millie move from the metropolis to the countryside for her career. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s primarily where the tropes cease. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim fall into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity starts to affect the duo. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a slow burn of scares, blending elements of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes amidst something horrific). The director weaves these elements together seamlessly and wraps them up in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is suffering due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and far away from his support system. He is terrified of the notion of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together avoids making one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that come with long-term unions over a long period. At their core, they continue to care for each other. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to another person, the metaphor does not come across as clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Conversely, some couples who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the ending plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply look at your other half and say, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
