We present a dare for long-term couples who are fans of scary movies: Settle in with your partner and view Together. This independent film success of 2025 recently had its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like typical biological terror, but beneath Together exists a deep contemplation about how we choose to love one another.
A Debut Feature Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together is the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have been together for a decade. United in marriage in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a particular energy to their roles, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The narrative begins when Millie and Tim move from the big city to the country for professional reasons. A commonly used plot device, of course, but that’s largely where the conventions end. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim tumble into an underground cave. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence takes hold of the couple. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a slow burn fright fest, weaving in moments of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). The director weaves these elements together expertly and wraps them up in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is waning due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and removed from his social circle. He dreads the notion of totally forfeiting his sense of self in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie never makes either of his characters the obvious villain.
Both characters confront the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship after ten years. Fundamentally, they still love one another. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these fears of codependency and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the metaphor does not come across as clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that single viewers have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, some couples experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could function as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the ending plant anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your partner and say, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can undertake today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform now.
