We present a challenge for long-term couples who appreciate scary movies: Sit down with your partner and watch Together. This independent film success of 2025 has now made its online premiere on Hulu. Outwardly, it could look like typical biological terror, but within Together lies a deep meditation about the ways we decide to love one another.
An Introductory Film Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together is the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It stars the real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, a pair who are not married that have remained a couple for a decade. Having wed in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a unique chemistry to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the joys and frustrations of a long-term relationship.
The plot begins when Tim and Millie transition from the big city to the countryside for Millie’s job. A familiar story element, of course, but that’s largely where the tropes conclude. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While walking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the protagonists fall into an hole in the earth. After being trapped overnight there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence starts to affect the duo. This force creates a supernatural closeness between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a methodically building of scares, blending moments of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes amidst something disturbing). Shanks weaves these elements together neatly and presents them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Complex Characterizations
A great deal of Together is exclusively the two lead actors, and they skillfully illustrate countless layers to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is waning due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his floundering music career slowly bubbles to the surface.
In contrast, Tim's character feels trapped and separated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve relocated rural and removed from his social circle. He fears the notion of totally forfeiting his sense of self in his partner. This fear is further exacerbated by the reality he can’t drive and needs Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision is that he never makes either of his characters the definite antagonist.
Tim and Millie confront the sort of issues that arise in most partnerships over a long period. At their core, they still love one another. They still laugh together, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But beneath it all, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their bond.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together act as a metaphor for these anxieties of excessive reliance and totally devoting oneself to a partner, the symbolism avoids being overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments offer a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the frights and the fights enhance each other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s final act, which remains unspoiled, has created disagreement on the film’s ultimate message about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a strong argument for staying single. On the other hand, a few pairs experiencing tension found that the film actually helped them make up.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own response could act as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a uplifting feeling of optimism? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and feel frustration, or simply turn to your significant other and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can embark on right now.
Together is available to watch on Hulu at present.
