We present a test for partners in committed relationships who appreciate scary movies: Sit down with your loved one and watch Together. This critically acclaimed 2025 movie recently had its online premiere via Hulu. Outwardly, it might appear like typical physical horror, but beneath Together exists a deep meditation about how we choose to love each other.
An Introductory Film Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together is the debut feature-length film for director Michael Shanks. It features Dave Franco and Alison Brie as Millie and Tim, partners that have stayed together for a decade. United in marriage in real life in 2017, Franco and Brie bring a unique chemistry to their characters, skillfully embodying both the joys and frustrations of a committed partnership.
The narrative commences when Tim and Millie transition from the metropolis to the countryside for her career. A somewhat stereotypical narrative setup, of course, but that’s largely where the tropes cease. Together evolves into as much a psychological exploration of the partnership as it is a body horror flick.
An Otherworldly Trigger
While hiking near their rural residence, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim fall into an hole in the earth. After a night spent there and eventually escaping, a mysterious influence takes hold of the couple. This force induces a supernatural closeness between them that goes well past simple connection.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying horror experience, blending moments of fever-dream horrors, gross (but tastefully done) physical transformations, and genuinely funny dialogue (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts seamlessly and delivers them in a slowly mounting atmosphere of fear.
Complex Characterizations
A significant portion of Together is solely Brie and Franco, and they masterfully render numerous complexities to the dynamic between Tim and Millie. Her self-assurance and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his unwillingness to focus on anything other than his struggling artistic pursuits inexorably rises.
Tim, on the other hand experiences isolation and isolated by Millie, who’s the cause they’ve left the city and removed from his social circle. He dreads the notion of completely losing his sense of self in his partner. This fear is amplified by the fact he can’t drive and relies on Millie for getting around.
The film's most intelligent aspect in Together refrains from painting either of his characters the clear bad guy.
Tim and Millie confront the type of challenges that are inherent in any relationship over a long period. At their core, they continue to care 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 undercurrent of doubt about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the supernatural forces in Together represent these anxieties of codependency and fully committing to another person, the symbolism avoids being hamfisted or heavy-handed. Instead, these more disturbing, unsettling scenes offer a ideal counterpart to the character-driven drama. Both the horror and the drama work together in harmony.
A Controversial Conclusion
Together’s ending, which is best experienced firsthand, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about unhealthy partnerships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have seen the movie as a strong argument for remaining unattached. On the other hand, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them reconcile.
Whether you’re single or coupled up, your own interpretation could act as a telling indicator of how you view relationships. Will the ending inspire a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you recognize your own traits in Tim or Millie and feel frustration, or simply turn to your significant other and state, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an test you can experience at this very moment.
Together is currently playing on Hulu at present.
