We present a test for long-term couples who are fans of horror films: Get comfortable with your loved one and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its streaming debut via Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like typical physical horror, but within Together resides a deep meditation about the ways we decide to love one another.
A Debut Feature Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for over ten years. Married in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a particular energy to their roles, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The narrative commences when Millie and Tim move from the metropolis to the rural area for her career. A commonly used story element, sure, but that’s primarily where the tropes conclude. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists fall into an underground cave. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence takes hold of the duo. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The entire film is a methodically building horror experience, weaving in moments of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and delivers them in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and distant from his social circle. He is terrified of the concept of totally forfeiting his sense of self in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together never makes one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Both characters face the kind of problems that arise in long-term unions after ten years. Fundamentally, they have affection for each other. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of codependency and fully committing to another person, the allegory never feels hamfisted or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights serve the other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could act as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion sow anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply look at your other half and utter, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can embark on right now.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
