We present a dare for long-term couples who enjoy the horror genre: Get comfortable with your partner and stream Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its streaming debut via Hulu. Outwardly, it may seem like conventional physical horror, but within Together lies a deep contemplation about how we choose to love one another.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have been together for over ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a special spark to their roles, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The narrative begins when the couple move from the big city to the countryside for Millie’s job. A familiar plot device, admittedly, but that’s largely where the cliches end. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the two fall into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity takes hold of the duo. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The complete narrative is a slow burn horror experience, interspersing moments of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) biological grotesqueries, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes during something horrific). The director orchestrates these parts neatly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and far away from his support system. He is terrified of the idea of totally forfeiting his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and relies on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in this movie never makes Tim or Millie the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie confront the kind of problems that come with any relationship over a long period. Fundamentally, they have affection for each other. They share moments of joy, comfort one another, and open up at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of codependency and fully committing to another person, the symbolism avoids being hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a powerful case for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the finale plant feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply look at your other half and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an exploration you can embark on right now.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform now.
