We present a dare for long-term couples who appreciate horror films: Get comfortable with your partner and stream Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie just made its online premiere on the Hulu service. On the surface, it might appear like typical biological terror, but within Together resides a profound examination about how we choose to love each other.
A Debut Feature Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, the two stars contribute a special spark to their characters, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The plot starts when Millie and Tim relocate from the big city to the rural area for Millie’s job. A commonly used story element, admittedly, but that’s largely where the conventions end. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their new home, a tempest descends, and Millie and Tim fall into an underground cave. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a strange force takes hold of the duo. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying of scares, blending bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and presents them in a consistently growing aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is only the two lead actors, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve moved to the country and far away from his network of friends. He is terrified of the concept of completely losing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together never makes either of his characters the definite antagonist.
The couple face the type of challenges that are inherent in any relationship after ten years. At their core, they still love each other. They find humor with each other, offer support, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these anxieties of codependency and fully committing to a partner, the metaphor never feels hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a strong argument for remaining unattached. On the other hand, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could function as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the ending sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in one of the characters and yell at the screen, or simply glance toward your partner and state, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can experience right now.
Together is currently playing on the streaming service Hulu at present.
