We present a dare for long-term couples who enjoy horror films: Get comfortable with your partner and view Together. This independent film success of 2025 has now made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. On the surface, it could look like typical biological terror, but beneath Together exists a profound examination about the ways we decide to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together marks the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a unique chemistry to their characters, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The story begins when the couple relocate from the urban environment to the rural area for her career. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, sure, but that’s mostly where the cliches cease. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists tumble into an underground cave. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity begins influencing the couple. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The entire film is a methodically building fright fest, weaving in bits of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). The director skillfully blends these components expertly and wraps them up in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is only the two lead actors, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and far away from his support system. He dreads the notion of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he can’t drive and relies on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie avoids making one partner or the other the obvious villain.
The couple confront the kind of problems that come with any relationship over a long period. Deep down, they continue to care for one another. They find humor with each other, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism never feels overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that single viewers have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for staying single. On the other hand, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion inspire anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your significant other and say, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu now.
