We present a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy scary movies: Settle in with your significant other and watch Together. This 2025 indie hit just made its streaming debut via Hulu. At first glance, it could look like conventional physical horror, but beneath Together exists a intense meditation about how we choose to love one another.
A Debut Feature Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a unique chemistry to their characters, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The narrative commences when the couple relocate from the metropolis to the countryside for Millie’s job. A commonly used narrative setup, sure, but that’s mostly where the tropes cease. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim tumble into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence starts to affect the couple. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The entire film is a methodically building of scares, weaving in elements of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but never too gross) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes during something grotesque). The director weaves these elements together expertly and presents them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and far away from his network of friends. He is terrified of the concept of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie avoids making either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie confront the sort of issues that come with any relationship over a long period. Fundamentally, they continue to care for one another. They still laugh together, offer support, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together symbolize these anxieties of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor never feels clumsy or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights work together in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Conversely, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could function as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the finale plant anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your partner and say, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can embark on today.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
