We present a dare for those in enduring partnerships who are fans of the horror genre: Settle in with your loved one and view Together. This independent film success of 2025 has now made its online premiere on Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like typical physical horror, but inside Together lies a deep examination about the ways we decide to love our partners.
A Debut Feature Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together marks the introductory feature for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for over ten years. United in marriage in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie infuse a special spark to their characters, expertly portraying both the good and bad of a enduring union.
The story starts when the couple transition from the urban environment to the rural area for professional reasons. A somewhat stereotypical plot device, of course, but that’s mostly where the tropes cease. Together becomes as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their rural residence, a tempest descends, and the two discover an subterranean cavern. After being trapped overnight there and finally finding a way out, a supernatural entity takes hold of the couple. This force induces a paranormal intimacy between them that goes well past simple connection.
The entire film is a slow burn fright fest, weaving in moments of fever-dream horrors, unsettling (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something grotesque). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and wraps them up in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is suffering due to a emotional and physical gap. Her underlying frustration of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits gradually emerges.
Conversely, Tim senses confinement and separated by Millie, who’s the reason they’ve moved to the country and distant from his social circle. He is terrified of the idea of completely losing his personal autonomy in another person. This fear is intensified by the fact he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
The film's most intelligent aspect is that he refrains from painting Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Both characters face the sort of issues that come with any relationship a decade in. Deep down, they continue to care for each other. They still laugh together, offer support, and open up at times. But under the surface, there’s an persistent feeling of questioning about their bond.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these fears of excessive reliance and fully committing to a partner, the symbolism does not come across as overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes present a perfect parallel to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the horror and the drama enhance each other in a mutually beneficial way.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the movie's final takeaway about enmeshed dynamics. Accounts suggest that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a strong argument for remaining unattached. Meanwhile, some couples who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them resolve their issues.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own reaction could function as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the conclusion sow feelings of uneasiness and dread, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your other half and utter, “I understand that choice”?
Whatever the case may be, Together is an experiment you can undertake today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu as of this moment.