Consider this a challenge for partners in committed relationships who enjoy scary movies: Settle in with your partner and stream Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its streaming debut on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it may seem like standard body horror, but inside Together resides a deep meditation about our choices in loving each other.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have been together for ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, the two stars contribute a special spark to their roles, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The narrative starts when the couple relocate from the metropolis to the countryside for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, of course, but that’s mostly where the conventions conclude. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the protagonists tumble into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a strange force takes hold of the couple. This force compels a paranormal intimacy between them that goes exceeding emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a methodically building of scares, interspersing elements of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but tastefully done) body horror, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Michael Shanks skillfully blends these components neatly and delivers them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is waning due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and removed from his social circle. He fears the idea of completely losing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for mobility.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together avoids making either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie face the type of challenges that arise in long-term unions a decade in. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But below this facade, there’s an persistent current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of codependency and totally devoting oneself to another person, the allegory avoids being hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a powerful case for avoiding commitment. Conversely, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ended up guiding them to resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could act as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the finale plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your other half and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can experience right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu at present.
