We present a dare for partners in committed relationships who appreciate scary movies: Settle in with your partner and view Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its streaming debut on Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like standard body horror, but inside Together exists a profound examination about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Debut Feature Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for over ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the actors bring a special spark to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The story starts when Tim and Millie relocate from the big city to the country for professional reasons. A familiar narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the conventions cease. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim tumble into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a strange force starts to affect the pair. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a slow burn of scares, weaving in elements of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but tastefully done) body horror, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and presents them in a gradually swelling sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his floundering music career inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and removed from his support system. He is terrified of the notion of utterly sacrificing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision is that he avoids making one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie grapple with the kind of problems that are inherent in long-term unions over a long period. At their core, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these fears of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the metaphor never feels clumsy or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama serve the other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Conversely, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the finale inspire anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply turn to your partner and utter, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform now.
