Here's a test for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate the horror genre: Sit down with your significant other and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. On the surface, it could look like standard physical horror, but beneath Together resides a profound contemplation about the ways we decide to love each other.
An Introductory Film Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together is the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a unique chemistry to their characters, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The plot starts when the couple transition from the urban environment to the country for Millie’s job. A familiar narrative setup, sure, but that’s primarily where the conventions end. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the two discover an underground cave. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a strange force takes hold of the couple. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The whole movie is a gradually intensifying of scares, interspersing bits of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes amidst something grotesque). The director skillfully blends these components expertly and wraps them up in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A large part of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and emotional bond is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and distant from his network of friends. He is terrified of the concept of completely losing his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is amplified by the fact he can’t drive and relies on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together refrains from painting one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that are inherent in any relationship over a long period. Deep down, they still love one another. They find humor with each other, offer support, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to another person, the symbolism avoids being clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a compelling reason for staying single. Conversely, some couples having disagreements found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could act as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending sow 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 glance toward your significant other and say, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can embark on at this very moment.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform as of this moment.
