We present a challenge for partners in committed relationships who enjoy the horror genre: Get comfortable with your partner and view Together. This independent film success of 2025 recently had its online premiere via Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like typical biological terror, but beneath Together resides a deep contemplation about the ways we decide to love one another.
A Debut Feature Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, partners that have remained a couple for over ten years. Having wed in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a particular energy to their characters, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The story begins when the couple transition from the metropolis to the rural area for her career. A familiar plot device, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the tropes conclude. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the two fall into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity begins influencing the duo. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The whole movie is a slow burn fright fest, blending moments of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes amidst something disturbing). The director skillfully blends these components expertly and delivers them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and removed from his support system. He dreads the notion of completely losing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is intensified by the fact he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he never makes Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Tim and Millie face the type of challenges that are inherent in any relationship over a long period. Deep down, they still love one another. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a strong argument for remaining unattached. On the other hand, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could function as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply look at your other half and state, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can embark on today.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform now.
