We present a test for partners in committed relationships who are fans of horror films: Settle in with your loved one and watch Together. This independent film success of 2025 just made its streaming debut via Hulu. At first glance, it might appear like standard biological terror, but inside Together exists a profound contemplation about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Delving into The Nuances of Love
Together represents the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It showcases Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, a pair who are not married that have stayed together for over ten years. United in marriage in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a particular energy to their characters, skillfully embodying both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The narrative starts when Millie and Tim relocate from the metropolis to the country for her career. A commonly used plot device, of course, but that’s primarily where the cliches end. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and the two discover an underground cave. After spending the night there and eventually escaping, a supernatural entity starts to affect the pair. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The complete narrative is a slow burn fright fest, interspersing elements of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Michael Shanks weaves these elements together seamlessly and presents them in a consistently growing sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is deteriorating due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his floundering music career inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim feels trapped and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and distant from his network of friends. He fears the notion of completely losing his individual identity in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he does not operate a vehicle and needs Millie for mobility.
The director's cleverest decision is that he refrains from painting either of his characters the definite antagonist.
The couple grapple with the kind of problems that arise in any relationship after ten years. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They find humor with each other, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these fears of codependency and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the metaphor never feels overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a strong argument for staying single. Meanwhile, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could act as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the ending sow anxiety and horror, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you identify in either protagonist and yell at the screen, or simply look at your other half and state, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can experience today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu now.
