Consider this a dare for long-term couples who are fans of horror films: Settle in with your loved one and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its streaming debut via Hulu. At first glance, it may seem like standard physical horror, but within Together resides a profound meditation about how we choose to love each other.
An Introductory Film Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together is the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for over ten years. Having wed in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a unique chemistry to their characters, masterfully depicting both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The narrative begins when Millie and Tim relocate from the metropolis to the countryside for Millie’s job. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, admittedly, but that’s largely where the tropes conclude. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the two tumble into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity begins influencing the couple. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past simple connection.
The whole movie is a methodically building fright fest, blending bits of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but never too gross) body horror, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes during something grotesque). The director skillfully blends these components expertly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is waning due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to chase only his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and distant from his support system. He fears the notion of completely losing his personal autonomy in Millie. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he lacks a driver's license and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move is that he refrains from painting one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Both characters grapple with the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship over a long period. Deep down, they still love one another. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable undercurrent of doubt about their future together.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these fears of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory avoids being clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements present a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a powerful case for remaining unattached. On the other hand, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could potentially serve as a revealing measure of how you think about commitment. Will the ending inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply look at your other half and say, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can experience today.
Together is streaming on Hulu at present.
