We present a dare for partners in committed relationships who are fans of scary movies: Settle in with your partner and view Together. This independent film success of 2025 has now made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. At first glance, it could look like conventional biological terror, but within Together lies a profound examination about our choices in loving each other.
A Debut Feature Delving into Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for over ten years. Married in reality in 2017, the actors contribute a particular energy to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The story begins when the couple move from the big city to the rural area for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s mostly where the conventions end. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their new home, a storm hits, and the protagonists tumble into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity takes hold of the duo. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The complete narrative is a methodically building fright fest, blending elements of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but never too gross) physical transformations, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes amidst something grotesque). The director weaves these elements together expertly and presents them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and distant from his social circle. He dreads the concept of completely losing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is intensified by the reality he can’t drive and relies on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together never makes Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie grapple with the sort of issues that are inherent in most partnerships a decade in. Deep down, they have affection for one another. They find humor with each other, offer support, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these fears of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor avoids being overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that single viewers have seen the movie as a strong argument for staying single. Meanwhile, a few pairs having disagreements found that the film actually helped them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the finale sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your significant other and say, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform now.
