Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of scary movies: Settle in with your loved one and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 recently had its streaming debut via Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like typical biological terror, but inside Together resides a deep contemplation about how we choose to love our partners.
A Debut Feature Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together represents the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, partners that have been together for over ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the two stars contribute a special spark to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative begins when Tim and Millie move from the metropolis to the countryside for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, sure, but that’s mostly where the cliches end. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the two discover an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity takes hold of the couple. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The entire film is a methodically building of scares, weaving in bits of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes during something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and presents them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his floundering music career gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and removed from his social circle. He dreads the concept of totally forfeiting his individual identity in another person. This fear is amplified by the reality he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he refrains from painting one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
The couple face the sort of issues that arise in any relationship after ten years. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the allegory never feels clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama work together in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Conversely, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could function as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the finale sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply look at your other half and state, “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 the streaming service Hulu now.
