Consider this a challenge for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate horror films: Settle in with your loved one and view Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its online premiere on Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like standard biological terror, but within Together lies a deep meditation about our choices in loving each other.
A Directorial Debut Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together marks the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, partners that have remained a couple for ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, the actors contribute a unique chemistry to their characters, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The narrative begins when the couple move from the big city to the countryside for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, sure, but that’s largely where the conventions end. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their country house, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim tumble into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity takes hold of the pair. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The entire film is a slow burn fright fest, interspersing bits of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes during something horrific). Shanks weaves these elements together expertly and delivers them in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is suffering due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and distant from his social circle. He dreads the concept of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he never makes either of his characters the obvious villain.
The couple face the kind of problems that are inherent in long-term unions after ten years. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these anxieties of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism does not come across as hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a powerful case for remaining unattached. On the other hand, some couples having disagreements found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could function as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion plant anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply turn to your other half and say, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu now.
