Consider this a dare for partners in committed relationships who enjoy scary movies: Settle in with your partner and stream Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its online premiere on the Hulu service. Outwardly, it might appear like standard biological terror, but within Together resides a profound contemplation about our choices in loving each other.
A Debut Feature Exploring Partnership Complexities
Together is the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have been together for over ten years. Married in reality in 2017, the actors infuse a particular energy to their roles, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship.
The narrative begins when the couple relocate from the big city to the countryside for professional reasons. A familiar plot device, sure, but that’s primarily where the tropes conclude. Together transforms into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their rural residence, a storm hits, and the two fall into an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a strange force starts to affect the duo. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past simple connection.
The entire film is a methodically building horror experience, weaving in moments of fever-dream horrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). The director weaves these elements together expertly and delivers them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, 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 underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his failing musical ambitions inexorably rises.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and distant from his social circle. He fears the concept of completely losing his sense of self in Millie. This fear is amplified by the fact he can’t drive and relies on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect in this movie refrains from painting one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie grapple with the type of challenges that are inherent in any relationship after ten years. At their core, they still love one another. They share moments of joy, provide solace, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these anxieties of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the allegory never feels hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a ideal counterpart to the relationship narrative. Both the frights and the fights work together in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. It has been said that single viewers have understood the narrative as a strong argument for staying single. On the other hand, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own reaction could act as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the finale sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply look at your partner and state, “I’d do that for you”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can experience at this very moment.
Together is streaming on Hulu's platform as of this moment.