Here's a test for those in enduring partnerships who enjoy horror films: Sit down with your partner and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 recently had its streaming debut on the Hulu service. At first glance, it might appear like standard biological terror, but within Together lies a profound examination about our choices in loving our partners.
An Introductory Film Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together marks the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a particular energy to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The story commences when the couple relocate from the metropolis to the countryside for her career. A commonly used plot device, of course, but that’s primarily where the tropes cease. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their new home, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim tumble into an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity takes hold of the pair. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying horror experience, blending elements of hallucinatory nightmares, unsettling (but tastefully done) body horror, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). The director weaves these elements together expertly and presents them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a emotional and physical gap. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and distant from his support system. He fears the concept of completely losing his sense of self in another person. This fear is intensified by the fact he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together avoids making either of his characters the clear bad guy.
The couple face the type of challenges that come with any relationship a decade in. At their core, they still love one another. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to another person, the allegory never feels overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. On the other hand, certain partners having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could act as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the finale plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply look at your other half and say, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can undertake today.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
