We present a challenge for partners in committed relationships who appreciate scary movies: Settle in with your partner and stream Together. The independent film success of 2025 just made its online premiere on the Hulu service. On the surface, it could look like conventional biological terror, but within Together lies a profound meditation about our choices in loving each other.
A Directorial Debut Investigating The Nuances of Love
Together represents the first full-length movie for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It stars actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for a decade. Having wed in actuality in 2017, the two stars contribute a special spark to their characters, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The plot begins when the couple transition from the urban environment to the countryside for Millie’s job. A familiar story element, admittedly, but that’s primarily where the conventions cease. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the partnership as it is a film about physical terror.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their new home, a tempest descends, and the two tumble into an underground cave. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a strange force takes hold of the couple. This force induces a otherworldly bond between them that goes exceeding typical partnership.
The complete narrative is a gradually intensifying fright fest, interspersing bits of fever-dream horrors, gross (but never too gross) biological grotesqueries, and authentically humorous dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something disturbing). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts expertly and wraps them up in a gradually swelling atmosphere of fear.
Layered Performances
A large part of Together is exclusively the performances of its stars, and they skillfully illustrate manifold depths to the characters’ relationship. Her self-assurance and sense of connection is waning due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to chase only his failing musical ambitions gradually emerges.
In contrast, Tim's character senses confinement and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and distant from his support system. He is terrified of the notion of totally forfeiting his individual identity in Millie. This fear is amplified by the reality he does not operate a vehicle and relies on Millie for getting around.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together refrains from painting one partner or the other the obvious villain.
Both characters grapple with the kind of problems that come with long-term unions after ten years. Deep down, they still love one another. They find humor with each other, provide solace, and are vulnerable at times. But below this facade, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their future together.
Symbolism and Metaphor
While the supernatural forces in Together symbolize these concerns of codependency and fully committing to another person, the symbolism does not come across as overly obvious or heavy-handed. Instead, these ickier, creepier moments present a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal serve the other symbiotically.
A Debated Finale
Together’s conclusion, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the story's concluding statement about enmeshed dynamics. It has been said that unattached audience members have seen the movie as a compelling reason for remaining unattached. Conversely, a few pairs who were in conflict found that the film actually helped them make up.
If you are alone or with a partner, your own response could act as a great barometer of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending plant anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you recognize your own traits in either protagonist and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your significant other and utter, “I’d do that for you”?
No matter your reaction, Together is an test you can experience right now.
Together is currently playing on Hulu as of this moment.