Consider this a test for long-term couples who are fans of horror films: Sit down with your partner and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 has now made its streaming debut on Hulu. At first glance, it might appear like typical biological terror, but within Together exists a deep examination about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Debut Feature Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together is the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have been together for over ten years. Married in reality in 2017, the actors infuse a particular energy to their characters, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The narrative starts when the couple relocate from the big city to the rural area for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s largely where the tropes conclude. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the two discover an subterranean cavern. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a strange force begins influencing the duo. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a methodically building horror experience, interspersing moments of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes during something horrific). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is suffering 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.
In contrast, Tim's character experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and far away from his support system. He dreads the concept of totally forfeiting his individual identity in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he does not operate a vehicle and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie avoids making Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Both characters face the kind of problems that come with most partnerships after ten years. Deep down, they still love one another. They share moments of joy, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory never feels clumsy or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments provide a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a strong argument for staying single. Conversely, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could act as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the finale plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply look at your partner and state, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is streaming on Hulu now.
