Consider this a challenge for partners in committed relationships who are fans of scary movies: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. This 2025 indie hit just made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. On the surface, it might appear like standard body horror, but inside Together resides a profound examination about our choices in loving one another.
An Introductory Film Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have been together for a decade. Married in real life in 2017, the two stars infuse a special spark to their roles, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The story begins when Tim and Millie transition from the urban environment to the rural area for her career. A commonly used story element, of course, but that’s primarily where the conventions conclude. Together becomes as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a film about physical terror.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the two tumble into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity starts to affect the couple. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying of scares, blending bits of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but never too gross) body horror, and surprisingly comedic interactions (sometimes during something horrific). Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and delivers them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render countless layers to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and cut off by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and removed from his network of friends. He is terrified of the idea of totally forfeiting his sense of self in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he can’t drive and needs Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together refrains from painting either of his characters the obvious villain.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that arise in most partnerships over a long period. At their core, they have affection for one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these fears of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory does not come across as hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Conversely, some couples having disagreements found that the film actually helped them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could potentially serve as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply look at your other half and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an test you can undertake right now.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu at present.
