Consider this a challenge for partners in committed relationships who are fans of scary movies: Get comfortable with your loved one and view Together. This independent film success of 2025 recently had its online premiere via Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like typical biological terror, but within Together lies a intense contemplation about how we choose to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for ten years. Married in real life in 2017, the two stars contribute a special spark to their characters, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The story starts when Millie and Tim move from the big city to the countryside for her career. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, sure, but that’s mostly where the cliches end. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the two tumble into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a strange force takes hold of the pair. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The whole movie is a slow burn horror experience, weaving in moments of fever-dream horrors, gross (but tastefully done) physical transformations, 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 sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and distant from his network of friends. He dreads the concept of totally forfeiting his individual identity in Millie. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he avoids making either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Both characters face the sort of issues that are inherent in most partnerships over a long period. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these anxieties of codependency and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the symbolism never feels overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama work together symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the ending inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply glance toward 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 available to watch on Hulu as of this moment.
