We present a test for partners in committed relationships who are fans of scary movies: Get comfortable with your partner and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its launch on a streaming platform via Hulu. At first glance, it might appear like conventional body horror, but beneath Together lies a profound meditation about our choices in loving our partners.
An Introductory Film Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together marks the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for ten years. United in marriage in actuality in 2017, the two stars contribute a unique chemistry to their characters, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The plot commences when Tim and Millie relocate from the urban environment to the country for professional reasons. A commonly used narrative setup, of course, but that’s largely where the cliches cease. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim fall into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence begins influencing the couple. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past simple connection.
The entire film is a slow burn fright fest, interspersing moments of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but never too gross) body horror, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes during something disturbing). Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and delivers them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is suffering due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and removed from his support system. He fears the idea of completely losing his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is amplified by the reality he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie refrains from painting Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Both characters grapple with the type of challenges that arise in long-term unions after ten years. Deep down, they still love each other. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these concerns of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the metaphor never feels overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal work together symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a powerful case for staying single. Conversely, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could function as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the ending plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your partner and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
