We present a test for partners in committed relationships who are fans of horror films: Settle in with your partner and watch Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. On the surface, it might appear like standard biological terror, but beneath Together lies a profound examination about how we choose to love our partners.
A Directorial Debut Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together is the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a particular energy to their roles, skillfully embodying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The narrative begins when Tim and Millie relocate from the big city to the rural area for her career. A somewhat stereotypical story element, of course, but that’s mostly where the cliches end. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their country house, a storm hits, and the protagonists tumble into an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence starts to affect the couple. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past simple connection.
The complete narrative is a slow burn fright fest, weaving in moments of fever-dream horrors, gross (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes during something horrific). Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and delivers them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is only the performances of its stars, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and far away from his network of friends. He is terrified of the idea of completely losing his individual identity in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together avoids making one partner or the other the obvious villain.
The couple face the sort of issues that come with most partnerships over a long period. At their core, they still love each other. They still laugh together, offer support, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these anxieties of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism never feels clumsy or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that single viewers have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could act as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the finale inspire anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your other half and say, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can experience today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu as of this moment.
