We present a test for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of horror films: Get comfortable with your loved one and watch Together. This 2025 indie hit just made its online premiere on Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like standard biological terror, but within Together lies a deep meditation about how we choose to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for over ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a special spark to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The story starts when Tim and Millie move from the urban environment to the rural area for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the cliches end. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their country house, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim fall into an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a strange force begins influencing the pair. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying of scares, weaving in bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and delivers them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is waning due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and removed from his social circle. He dreads the idea of totally forfeiting his individual identity in Millie. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he can’t drive and needs Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision in Together never makes Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
The couple face the kind of problems that are inherent in most partnerships after ten years. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They find humor with each other, offer support, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these fears of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the allegory does not come across as overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided 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. On the other hand, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film actually helped them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could act 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 glance toward your significant other and state, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can undertake today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu as of this moment.
