Consider this a test for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of horror films: Sit down with your significant other and watch Together. This 2025 indie hit just made its streaming debut on Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like conventional physical horror, but beneath Together lies a deep contemplation about our choices in loving one another.
A Debut Feature Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have been together for ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, the actors contribute a special spark to their characters, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The narrative starts when Millie and Tim relocate from the urban environment to the country for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical story element, of course, but that’s mostly where the conventions cease. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their new home, a storm hits, and the protagonists fall into an underground cave. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity takes hold of the duo. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying fright fest, interspersing bits of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) body horror, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes during something grotesque). The director orchestrates these parts seamlessly and presents them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his floundering music career inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and distant from his support system. He fears the idea of completely losing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is amplified by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie refrains from painting Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie grapple with the kind of problems that come with long-term unions after ten years. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory does not come across as clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that single viewers have understood the narrative as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the ending sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply look at your partner and utter, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can undertake right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu as of this moment.
