We present a challenge for partners in committed relationships who appreciate horror films: Get comfortable with your partner and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 recently had its streaming debut on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it might appear like standard biological terror, but inside Together resides a deep contemplation about the ways we decide to love one another.
An Introductory Film Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together is the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for a decade. Having wed in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a particular energy to their characters, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a committed partnership.
The story starts when the couple relocate from the big city to the rural area for her career. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s largely where the conventions end. Together transforms into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While hiking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the two tumble into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity starts to affect the couple. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a slow burn of scares, weaving in elements of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes amidst something horrific). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and presents them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is suffering due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his floundering music career gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and removed from his social circle. He dreads the concept of completely losing his sense of self in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie never makes Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie confront the kind of problems that arise in any relationship a decade in. Fundamentally, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these anxieties of codependency and totally devoting oneself to another person, the allegory avoids being clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a strong argument for staying single. Meanwhile, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the ending plant anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply look at your partner and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
