Consider this a dare for partners in committed relationships who are fans of scary movies: Sit down with your partner and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 recently had its online premiere on Hulu. At first glance, it could look like typical body horror, but inside Together resides a profound examination about how we choose to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for over ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the two stars infuse a particular energy to their characters, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The plot commences when the couple move from the metropolis to the countryside for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, of course, but that’s largely where the tropes end. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim discover an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a strange force takes hold of the duo. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a methodically building of scares, blending moments of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny interactions (sometimes amidst something grotesque). The director orchestrates these parts seamlessly and delivers them in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is only the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and removed from his support system. He dreads the concept of completely losing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together avoids making Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie grapple with the sort of issues that come with any relationship over a long period. Deep down, they continue to care for one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these fears of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the metaphor never feels overly obvious or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a brilliant analogue to the relationship narrative. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Conversely, some couples having disagreements found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply turn to your other half and state, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can undertake right now.
Together is available to watch on the streaming service Hulu as of this moment.
