Review: 'Together' Made Me Realize That Codependency Can Indeed Be... Romantic?

      From Too Much and Materialists to The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3, 2025 has continuously indulged us with a delightful array of romantic releases. Among this influx of charming protagonists and love-triangle chaos, I never expected one of the most impactful romances I would encounter this year would emerge from the horror genre, but Together changed my perspective.

      Now, for those who aren’t fans of horror movies—please give me a moment. When I first viewed the trailer for Alison Brie and Dave Franco’s new body horror film, Together, I have to admit I felt a bit uneasy. After enduring many sleepless nights due to films like Insidious and Sinister during my younger years, I questioned whether I could handle it. However, when I finally ventured into the theater this past weekend, it wasn't the gruesome scenes or jump scares (though both were expertly done) that left me grateful for my ticket. It was the film’s capacity to unravel the relationship dilemmas that I often found difficult to express.

      Having been with my partner for nearly a decade, I was intrigued—perhaps even eager—to see what this story would convey about a struggle I confront more often than I'd like to acknowledge: codependency. Together not only turned out to be an exquisite film—palatable even for the most sensitive viewers—but I emerged from the theater with insights about the link between intimacy and identity that are likely to linger with me.

      What is Together about?

      Featuring real-life married couple Alison Brie and Dave Franco, the film centers on Millie (Brie), a detail-oriented, Type-A educator who secures a new teaching position in the countryside, and her partner Tim (Franco), a struggling musician who has paused his career aspirations to support Millie’s job and their shared life. An implied tension exists between them regarding their individual desires and each other's aspirations. As Millie and Tim settle into their new rural home, these underlying anxieties quickly unravel in a body-altering horror experience that challenges their love and sense of self.

      My review of Together

      It’s a horror film that’s also a comedy and a romance.

      Together’s spine-tingling thrill ride strikes a balance between the deeply human and the disturbingly inhuman. It delves far beyond the happy endings of your favorite rom-coms, confronting the harsh realities that accompany long-term relationships. Yes, it’s filled with stunning, haunting visuals that create a remarkable horror film—but at times, it feels more romantically compelling than frightening. There’s a subtle humor and a deep emotional maturity that left me feeling more enlightened than terrified when I exited the theater (aside from the unsettling sound design, of course). It represents my favorite type of cinematic experience—the one that lingers with you long after the credits roll and refuses to be shaken off.

      It showcased the truly frightening aspects of love.

      Like any good horror film, Together keeps you in suspense. Every frame is infused with a sense of anxiety, worried about what dreadful “thing” might suddenly emerge. However, for Millie and Tim, that eerie “thing” isn’t always a creature you can identify. Instead, it’s something that those in a long-term relationship will recognize all too well: codependency.

      “It’s unusual to discover a film that can uncover something so fundamentally human amidst the unquestionably horrifying, yet Together accomplishes it effortlessly.”

      Navigating the challenge of maintaining individuality while building a life with someone can be one of love’s toughest hurdles. But Together isn’t shy about tackling this. For Millie and Tim, intimacy becomes an extreme force that literally strives to bind them together in every conceivable sense. Existing independently, without reliance on one another, seems impossible for them. This film made me realize that, in reality, it might be just that.

      You can retain your identity in a relationship, but that identity will inevitably be shaped by your partner, whether you accept it or fight it. Resisting that bond and clinging to your past self can morph into its own kind of monster—one that quietly erodes both your independence and your connection until you become unrecognizable. What disturbed me most about Together wasn’t the graphic horrors, but the subtler confrontations woven throughout. It’s rare to find a film that can uncovers deeply human themes amidst the horrifying, yet Together achieves this beautifully.

      It prompted me to reflect on my own experiences with codependency.

      I’ve been with my partner since high school, and our journey together has afforded us numerous rare and beautiful experiences—from graduations and new jobs to exploring new cities and grieving as one. However, amidst sharing all these moments, it can be challenging to pinpoint where I end, and we begin. What I appreciate about Together is how effectively it echoes these difficult truths—the ones I often overlook because my partner and I are so accustomed to each other that we have trouble seeing beyond our union.

      After watching this film, I started to contemplate how codependency manifests in my own relationship. I’ve