We present a dare for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate scary movies: Get comfortable with your partner and watch Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it may seem like standard physical horror, but beneath Together exists a profound examination about our choices in loving one another.
An Introductory Film Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together is the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for a decade. Married in actuality in 2017, the two stars bring a special spark to their portrayals, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The narrative begins when the couple move from the big city to the country for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, sure, but that’s mostly where the conventions cease. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the two tumble into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity begins influencing the couple. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The whole movie is a methodically building fright fest, blending bits of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes during something grotesque). Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and wraps them up in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and removed from his support system. He fears the idea of totally forfeiting his sense of self in another person. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together never makes either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that are inherent in most partnerships over a long period. At their core, they continue to care for one another. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these concerns of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the allegory does not come across as hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the finale inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your partner and say, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can experience at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu now.
