We present a test for long-term couples who are fans of the horror genre: Settle in with your significant other and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its online premiere on Hulu. At first glance, it might appear like conventional biological terror, but within Together lies a profound contemplation about how we choose to love our partners.
An Introductory Film Exploring The Nuances of Love
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple named Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have stayed together for ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, the actors contribute a unique chemistry to their roles, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The plot begins when Millie and Tim move from the metropolis to the country for professional reasons. A commonly used plot device, of course, but that’s mostly where the tropes end. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and Millie and Tim tumble into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a strange force starts to affect the couple. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The entire film is a methodically building of scares, weaving in bits of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) body horror, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes during something disturbing). The director orchestrates these parts neatly and wraps them up in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A significant portion of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they masterfully render countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is waning due to a emotional and physical gap. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and far away from his social circle. He dreads the idea of totally forfeiting his sense of self in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he can’t drive and needs Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together avoids making Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
Both characters confront the sort of issues that are inherent in any relationship over a long period. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and share intimately at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these concerns of excessive reliance and giving oneself over to a partner, the allegory avoids being overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes provide a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for staying single. Conversely, certain partners experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could function as a telling indicator of how you think about commitment. Will the finale inspire anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply glance toward your significant other and say, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an exploration you can undertake at this very moment.
Together is streaming on Hulu as of this moment.
