Here's a dare for long-term couples who appreciate horror films: Sit down with your partner and view Together. The independent film success of 2025 recently had its streaming debut on Hulu. On the surface, it might appear like standard physical horror, but inside Together exists a profound meditation about our choices in loving each other.
An Introductory Film Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It features the real-life married couple 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 actuality in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a particular energy to their characters, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a enduring union.
The story begins when the couple move from the urban environment to the countryside for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s largely where the tropes cease. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Paranormal Spark
While trekking near their country house, a tempest descends, and the protagonists tumble into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity starts to affect the duo. This force creates a paranormal intimacy between them that goes far beyond simple connection.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying of scares, blending moments of dreamlike terrors, unsettling (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and authentically humorous exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Shanks skillfully blends these components expertly and presents them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A great deal of Together is only the two lead actors, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the partnership at the film's core. Her self-assurance and emotional bond is suffering due to a distance. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to pursue anything but his floundering music career gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve relocated rural and far away from his social circle. He is terrified of the idea of totally forfeiting his individual identity in Millie. This fear is intensified by the fact he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together never makes Tim or Millie the obvious villain.
The couple face the type of challenges that come with long-term unions a decade in. Deep down, they have affection for each other. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and open up at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these fears of codependency and totally devoting oneself to another person, the symbolism does not come across as overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a perfect parallel to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama work together in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a strong argument for avoiding commitment. Conversely, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could function as a great barometer of how you think about commitment. Will the ending sow anxiety and horror, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you identify in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your significant other and state, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can undertake today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
