We present a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate the horror genre: Settle in with your significant other and view Together. This independent film success of 2025 recently had its online premiere via Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like conventional biological terror, but within Together exists a deep meditation about our choices in loving one another.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together marks the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for over ten years. Married in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a unique chemistry to their roles, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The plot commences when the couple move from the big city to the countryside for professional reasons. A familiar plot device, of course, but that’s largely where the cliches conclude. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the protagonists fall into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and finally finding a way out, a strange force takes hold of the pair. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a slow burn fright fest, interspersing bits of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and delivers them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and far away from his social circle. He fears the notion of utterly sacrificing his individual identity in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision is that he avoids making either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Both characters confront the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship over a long period. Deep down, they still love one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these fears of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism avoids being hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama serve the other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that single viewers have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for staying single. Conversely, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could function as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the conclusion inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your partner and state, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is streaming on Hulu as of this moment.
