Consider this a test for partners in committed relationships who are fans of scary movies: Settle in with your significant other and watch Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it may seem like standard body horror, but beneath Together exists a intense contemplation about how we choose to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together represents the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for a decade. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a particular energy to their roles, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The story begins when the couple move from the metropolis to the rural area for professional reasons. A familiar story element, of course, but that’s mostly where the tropes cease. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim fall into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity takes hold of the duo. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a slow burn fright fest, interspersing moments of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but never too gross) physical transformations, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes amidst something horrific). Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and delivers them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is solely the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his floundering music career inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and far away from his support system. He fears the concept of completely losing his individual identity in another person. This fear is intensified by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together never makes either of his characters the obvious villain.
Both characters face the kind of problems that come with long-term unions a decade in. Fundamentally, they continue to care for one another. They share moments of joy, offer support, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these fears of unhealthy attachment and fully committing to another person, the symbolism never feels clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal work together symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could function as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and yell at the screen, or simply look at your partner and say, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform at present.
