Here's a test 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 just made its online premiere on the Hulu service. On the surface, it could look like conventional physical horror, but within Together resides a profound meditation about how we choose to love one another.
An Introductory Film Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together represents the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have stayed together for a decade. United in marriage in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a special spark to their characters, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The plot commences when Millie and Tim transition from the big city to the country for her career. A commonly used story element, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the cliches cease. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While trekking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim discover an underground cave. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence takes hold of the couple. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a methodically building of scares, weaving in moments of dreamlike terrors, disturbing (but tastefully done) body horror, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes during something disturbing). The director skillfully blends these components expertly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they masterfully render manifold depths to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and removed from his social circle. He dreads the idea of completely losing his individual identity in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together never makes either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie grapple with the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship a decade in. Fundamentally, they continue to care for one another. They still laugh together, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an unavoidable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these fears of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the metaphor does not come across as overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Conversely, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could act as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the ending plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a positive outlook on love? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply turn to your other half and state, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can embark on today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu as of this moment.
