We present a challenge for partners in committed relationships who enjoy scary movies: Sit down with your significant other and stream Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its online premiere on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it may seem like typical biological terror, but beneath Together lies a profound examination about the ways we decide to love each other.
An Introductory Film Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together is the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for a decade. Having wed in actuality in 2017, the two stars contribute a unique chemistry to their characters, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The plot commences when Millie and Tim move from the urban environment to the countryside for her career. A familiar story element, sure, but that’s primarily where the conventions end. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the protagonists tumble into an hole in the earth. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence takes hold of the duo. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying horror experience, weaving in bits of hallucinatory nightmares, gross (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes amidst something horrific). Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and delivers them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is only the two lead actors, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is deteriorating due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and removed from his support system. He is terrified of the idea of totally forfeiting his individual identity in his partner. This fear is amplified by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he never makes Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
The couple confront the type of challenges that are inherent in any relationship after ten years. At their core, they still love each other. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together represent these fears of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor does not come across as clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements provide a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights serve the other symbiotically.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that single viewers have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Conversely, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could function as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the ending sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply turn to your significant other and state, “We could get through that together”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
