We present a test for partners in committed relationships who appreciate horror films: Settle in with your loved one and stream Together. The critically acclaimed 2025 movie has now made its online premiere via Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like conventional body horror, but within Together lies a deep examination about our choices in loving our partners.
An Introductory Film Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together is the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, an unmarried couple that have been together for over ten years. Married in reality in 2017, the two stars bring a unique chemistry to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The plot commences when the couple relocate from the big city to the rural area for her career. A familiar narrative setup, sure, but that’s primarily where the cliches conclude. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
A Paranormal Spark
While walking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim discover an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a strange force starts to affect the couple. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying fright fest, interspersing bits of dreamlike terrors, gross (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). The director skillfully blends these components expertly and delivers them in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie's sense of self and sense of connection is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his reluctance to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits slowly bubbles to the surface.
Tim, on the other hand senses confinement and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and removed from his network of friends. He is terrified of the notion of totally forfeiting his individual identity in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the circumstance he can’t drive and relies on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he refrains from painting Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie confront the type of challenges that come with long-term unions over a long period. At their core, they still love each other. They still laugh together, provide solace, and share intimately at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the metaphor does not come across as hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in harmony.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which won’t be spoiled here, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for staying single. Conversely, some couples having disagreements found that the film ultimately assisted them make up.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own response could function as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the ending inspire feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your partner and state, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can experience at this very moment.
Together is streaming on the streaming service Hulu now.
