Here's a test for partners in committed relationships who are fans of horror films: Get comfortable with your significant other and stream Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its online premiere on the Hulu service. At first glance, it might appear like typical biological terror, but beneath Together resides a intense contemplation about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Debut Feature Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together marks the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a unique chemistry to their characters, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative commences when Tim and Millie relocate from the urban environment to the rural area for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical story element, sure, but that’s mostly where the conventions conclude. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the two discover an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a strange force begins influencing the couple. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The entire film is a methodically building horror experience, weaving in elements of fever-dream horrors, gross (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes during something disturbing). The director skillfully blends these components seamlessly and wraps them up in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and far away from his network of friends. He is terrified of the idea of totally forfeiting his sense of self in his partner. This fear is intensified by the fact he can’t drive and needs Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie refrains from painting either of his characters the definite antagonist.
The couple confront the sort of issues that come with any relationship a decade in. Fundamentally, they still love one another. They share moments of joy, offer support, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these anxieties of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have understood the narrative as a powerful case for staying single. Meanwhile, some couples experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could act as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the ending sow anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your partner and say, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can undertake today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu now.
