Here's a test 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 online premiere on Hulu. At first glance, it might appear like typical physical horror, but inside Together resides a profound meditation about the ways we decide to love each other.
A Directorial Debut Investigating Partnership Complexities
Together represents the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have stayed together for over ten years. Married in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a special spark to their roles, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The plot starts when the couple relocate from the big city to the countryside for her career. A commonly used plot device, sure, but that’s mostly where the cliches end. Together evolves into as much a deep dive into the psyche of the couple's dynamic as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and the two tumble into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and finally finding a way out, a mysterious influence takes hold of the duo. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying fright fest, interspersing moments of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) body horror, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and presents them in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is solely the two lead actors, and they masterfully render countless layers to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and sense of connection is waning due to a distance. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his reluctance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve moved to the country and far away from his network of friends. He fears the notion of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he never makes one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie confront the sort of issues that come with most partnerships after ten years. Fundamentally, they have affection for one another. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their bond.
Allegory and Meaning
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these concerns of codependency and giving oneself over to a partner, the symbolism never feels hamfisted or pretentious. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a brilliant analogue to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the frights and the fights serve the other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which won’t be spoiled here, has created disagreement on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Reports indicate that single viewers have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for staying single. Meanwhile, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could act as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the conclusion sow a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in either protagonist and feel frustration, or simply look at your significant other and utter, “I understand that choice”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an experiment you can experience today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform now.
