Consider this a test for partners in committed relationships who enjoy the horror genre: Sit down with your partner and stream Together. This independent film success of 2025 has now made its online premiere via Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like standard biological terror, but beneath Together exists a deep contemplation about how we choose to love our partners.
A Directorial Debut Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the introductory feature for director Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for over ten years. Married in actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a particular energy to their portrayals, expertly portraying both the strengths and weaknesses of a enduring union.
The story starts when Tim and Millie transition from the metropolis to the country for professional reasons. A commonly used story element, sure, but that’s largely where the tropes conclude. Together transforms into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While walking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the protagonists discover an underground cave. After a night spent there and managing to escape, a strange force takes hold of the pair. This force compels a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding simple connection.
The whole movie is a methodically building of scares, blending moments of dreamlike terrors, gross (but never too gross) physical transformations, and surprisingly comedic dialogue (sometimes during something horrific). Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and wraps them up in a consistently growing atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A great deal of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is waning due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
Tim, on the other hand feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve left the city and distant from his social circle. He fears the notion of totally forfeiting his individual identity in another person. This fear is amplified by the circumstance he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for getting around.
The director's cleverest decision is that he never makes one partner or the other the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie confront the kind of problems that are inherent in most partnerships over a long period. Deep down, they still love one another. They still laugh together, offer support, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the paranormal elements in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor avoids being clumsy or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a perfect parallel to the relationship narrative. Both the horror and the drama work together in a mutually beneficial way.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. It has been said that unattached audience members have interpreted the film as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Meanwhile, some couples experiencing tension found that the film ended up guiding them to make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own interpretation could act as a revealing measure of how you view relationships. Will the ending plant anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply look at your significant other and utter, “We could get through that together”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can embark on today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
