Together (2025)
Director: Michael Shanks
Writer: Michael Shanks
Stars: Dave Franco, Alison Brie, Damon Herriman
Plot: Tim and Millie are a young couple in love. He’s a musician, she’s a teacher. Their relationship reaches a turning point when they move to a remote village surrounded by woods and fields, far from everything familiar. As they try to adapt to their new life, an encounter with a mysterious supernatural force jolts their bond, making them—quite literally—inseparable.
* * *
What does it mean to be together today? What does it really mean? What emotions and fears are stirred up when you commit indefinitely to another person? Does it mean sharing absolutely everything? Becoming inseparable? Watching your life merge more and more with someone else’s? And how do we perceive this possibility—through what lens, in what corner of our emotional spectrum, in what shade of color? In short: does enthusiasm prevail, or fear, or both at once?
It is these questions that Australian filmmaker Michael Shanks sets out to answer in his remarkable debut Together, drawing on Plato’s myth of the androgynous and turning it into a striking body-horror metaphor. The couple, after all, has become our last refuge, the final familiar dwelling as the world around us collapses, flickers out, explodes, and disintegrates. The couple is the last illusion of stability, the idea of an island (to borrow from Houellebecq), or, in Vasco Rossi’s words, a balance on the edge of madness.
But Together doesn’t stop there. It resists the pessimism and victimhood that dominate our age of paralysis, and instead chooses—bravely and with originality—the path of paradox. Shanks takes Plato’s myth literally (the film cites it outright): an ancient era when male and female were fused into one androgynous being, with eight limbs, two sexes, and two faces gazing in opposite directions. After Zeus split them apart, man and woman would spend their lives seeking each other to be whole again (yes, the notion of the soulmate comes from here). But instead of leaning on easy irony—postmodern and now a little outdated—Shanks stares the myth in the eye, searching for its figurative core. What is it that draws us to someone, and why that person, not another? Why can’t we stop it? How powerful are the rules of attraction? And why do they exhilarate and frighten us at the same time?
Rather than a chamber drama laden with philosophical dialogue, the director translates this conflict into imagery that is both programmatic and unmistakably vivid—even outrageous. He observes bodies as they lose their gravitational center the moment they come into contact with the mythical “other half.” The result is a horror film, yes, but a strange, offbeat, often hilarious one. Never cynical, never sneering.
Together does not condemn love or the couple; it probes the consequences of love, its polymorphic vitality, its resilience in a world where everything else is fading. More effectively than Guadagnino’s Bones and All (2022), Shanks finds a sharp and eloquent visual language for that Freudian-Lacanian-Bataillean reading of the sexual act as a drive toward mutual cannibalization, the urge to obliterate alterity. At the same time, he offers a disquieting response—especially as the credits approach—to the increasingly pressing questions of sex and gender fluidity.
Of course, Together also plays with some of horror’s primal tropes: the forest, the cave, the well (with its obvious bodily symbolism), water, reflections, rats, decomposition. Yet these often serve as decoys. The most striking and resonant images are those that reinforce the film’s conceptual core: attraction itself. Shanks explores its polysemy, bending space and bodies to this mysterious, inviolable law that overrides all others, shattering their lines of force.
In the end, what remains are the bodies and their unbearable, inevitable connection. Two but not two. 2 becomes 1. Together-forever.
* * *
Together (2025) | Transcript
[ ♪♪ ]
[Forest sounds chirping]
Simon!
Keri!
[Dog Barks]
Simon!
[Radio chatter]
Keri!
[Dog Barks]
Simon!
Keri!
Simon!
[Eerie sounds]
[Dogs whimpering]
[Whistles]
[Radio chatter]
[Whistles]
[Dogs panting]
[Whining]
[Dog barking]
[Whimpering sounds]
Daddy?
Dad!
[Distressed animal sounds]
[Snarling, growling]
[Pained whimpering]
[Labored breathing]
Babe, is everything okay?
Sorry, I was just looking for a record.
Well, come on.
We’re not gonna see everyone for a while.
Right, sorry.
By the way, everyone thinks it’s cute we’re matching.
[Millie chuckles]
Babe?
Yeah.
Just give me a sec.
[Dance music playing]
[Cath]
He really agreed to go along with this?
Yes.
He’s excited.
Are you sure it’s what you want?
What do you mean?
You know I love Tim, but he hasn’t been that Tim in a while.
Like, aren’t you worried about how long it’s been since the two of you have, like, you know, why don’t you take the job and find a country boy who actually fucks you?
Hey.
[Jordy]
Oh, sick.
I didn’t know you still did music.
Yeah, uh, actually just finishing up a new EP.
Sick.
You still on the same label?
Probably self releasing this time.
But, hey, I heard you guys got booked on the whole Sound Off tour.
That’sthat’s awesome.
Dude, you gotta get back on a label.
They just book you on so much stuff.
That’s so true.
Yeah, no, I should just get back on a label.
[Millie]
He’s still going through a lot.
Honestly, it’s another reason why I think this move will be good for both of us.
Okay.
This is so exciting.
Do you think he knows?
He has no idea.
You know, we need a guitarist for the tour.
What?
For real?
I figured, you know, with the move that you’re written off.
Shit.
I mean, I could checkin with Millie, but…
[Luke laughs]
When you started dating my sister, I thought you might make her cooler.
Instead, she’s just made you…
Hey, fuck you, man.
Nah, it’s cool, it’s just when I die, I don’t want someone else’s life flashing before my eyes.
[Cath clicking on glass]
Alright, I’ll do it. The tour.
Oh, that’s dope.
Uh, there’s a lot of rehearsals.
I’ll make it back.
It’s not even that far.
And it’s so fucking far.
[laughter]
Look, this isn’t that big of a deal.
It’s just a couple hours away.
Says the prick who can’t drive.
Who needs to drive in the city?
Obviously, we’re gonna miss you guys a lot.
This insane group is, you know, it’s the family I got.
So… but II’m so proud of Millie.
You are the sweetest, most giving person I’ve ever met.
These kids don’t even know how lucky they are to get someone who actually cares about their education.
[Crowd]
Aww.
So, um, yeah.
It’s–it’s all bittersweet.
I’m a little scared, but, uh, mainly excited about the next step in our lives together.
[Crowd]
Woo!
Yeah.
[Crowd tittering]
That’s it.
[laughs]
Okay.
Relax.
It’s just a change of scenery.
Babe.
In front of the people who mean the most to us, I wanna ask you… to spend the rest of your life with me.
Are you joking?
[Tim]
Uh…
[Millie]
Oh.
Yes. Of course.
Yes.
I, I, I do.
[Cath claps softly]
[Tim]
I’m sorry.
I fucking suck.
Okay? I just, I didn’t know what was happening, and I froze.
You still want this, right?
It’s a little late now, right?
Yeah, it fucking is.
But still, if we don’t split now, it’ll only be harder later.
Wait, like “split” split?
Is that what you want?
No, of course not.
I don’t know.
You’ve been so distant since…
and that’s okay.
Of course.
It’s just…
you’ve never made me feel unsure before.
Unsure of what?
If we love each other or if we’re just used to each other.
Hey, hey, I’m sorry.
Okay?
Sorry.
[Kissing]
Sorry.
I think I drank too much.
It’s okay.
Hey, hey, I love you.
I love you too.
[Millie]
Everyone knows you need me
[Millie]
more than I need you.
[Millie]
We laugh about it.
What?
[Millie]
Resenting me doesn’t make you less of a failure.
Why are you saying this?
[Millie]
Can you ask them to leave?
Who?
[Millie]
I can’t sleep with them staring at us.
[Tim inhales sharply]
[ ♪♪ ]
[Bright music fades in]
[Birds chirping]
[Millie]
Good morning.
You clearly don’t miss the sound of traffic.
How long you been up?
Not long.
Figured one of these had to have the coffee machine inside.
Do you think I resent you?
Well, now.
Sorry.
Still half asleep.
Because you’re looking at your dream girl.
That must be it.
Since you’re out here, can you bring something inside?
Sure, yeah.
Oh.
Oh my god.
[Millie]
Careful.
[Millie laughing]
This is worrying.
Your dad’s?
Maybe I could use it to fix the back porch.
[Electric sawing]
Never let me use that.
Hey, babe, do you smell that?
[Millie]
I’m peeing.
You really don’t smell anything?
[Millie]
What’s going on?
[Eerie music fades in]
[Millie]
Babe?
Oh, Jesus.
Ugh!
[Millie]
Babe, what are you doing?
I found it.
[Millie]
What?
Oh, sh
[Millie]
Oh god.
How’d you know to look for that?
[Ethereal music plays]
Excuse me.
Hi.
Did you bring that from home or take it from my tin?
Oh, sorry.
I thought that they were just for the staff, but I don’t have a…
Sugar?
No.
Thank you.
How much trouble am I in?
Oh, God.
Don’t mind Carol.
She’s possessive of dry old bags on account of her being one.
It’s Ms. Wilson, right?
Millie.
I’m Jamie, welcome.
Thank you.
I gotta say, I was so happy you took this placement.
Your resume really caught my eye.
You saw that?
Yeah, well, I was part of the hiring committee.
Wanna sit?
Mhmm.
Uh, yeah, I was just thrilled that someone of your caliber was interested in our tiny neck of the woods.
Oh, are you kidding?
I’m excited.
My old school was huge.
Students and staff all lost in the shuffle.
Here, I’m hoping to actually help these kids as individuals.
Oh, passion.
Almost forgot what that was like.
And you settling in okay?
You and your husband or sorry, your wife, or…
Me and my, God…
boyfriend sounds so immature.
Partner?
My Tim?
My
me and my boy partner, Tim.
[Millie Laughs]
Have you, uh, have you explored much?
Partners?
Oh, God, no, no.
No, the area.
Have you
have you like, where did you move to?
We, uh, we’re down at the end of Pitt Road.
This is so predictably small town to say this, but I think we’re neighbors.
Yeah, I’m in the yellow house on the corner.
Oh, you’re kidding.
Yeah, it’s a great spot.
I mean, it’s a little ways from town, but the woods and the trails are amazing.
[Bell rings]
Well, uh…
let me know if, uh, you ever need someone to show you around, you and your boy partner.
[Millie laughs]
Sure.
Have a good day.
Bye.
[Tim playing guitar]
[Millie knocks on doorframe]
How’s it going?
Hey.
Oh, do we have Internet?
Uh, guys coming next week.
Hey, you obviously can’t drive me back for this gig on Thursday, right?
I could take you to the train station.
Okay, yeah, thanks.
Come to bed with me.
I have to learn these parts.
Okay.
What about tomorrow?
Do you maybe wanna do that hike you were telling me about?
Yeah.
That’d be great.
Great.
Okay.
Love you.
Love you.
[Faint rat squeaks]
[Music fades in]
[ ♪♪ ]
Is this it?
I don’t know.
This feels short.
Did we miss something?
Hey, what about that?
Seems pretty overgrown.
Hon, I don’t wanna be the dumb city folk who went against nature and lost.
It’s marked, we’re good.
[Ominous music plays]
Babe.
We can always turn back.
It’s just, it’s so nice out.
[Thunder clap]
Okay, wait.
I think it’s this way.
No, honey, I think it was back there.
Are you sure?
No.
Are you?
Okay.
That way is North.
Okay.
What do we do with that?
I don’t know.
I thought it would be helpful.
Okay.
What if we just keep going sort of, South Eastish?
Can’t we just think for a second.
Wait, no, no, babe, this looks right, come on.
[Tim]
Babe!
Oh my God!
Oh my God!
Babe!
Honey!
Babe!
Oh my God!
[Millie]
Oh my God, here!
[Millie and Tim scream]
[Gasping for air]
Are you okay?
I think so.
[Millie]
Oh my God.
My phone.
Shit.
Can you call it?
I don’t have a signal.
Fuck.
My demos were on there.
I’m fine, by the way.
Hey, sorry, you okay?
[Millie] Yeah, it’s okay.
[Tim]
You sure?
[Millie]
I’m okay.
[Tim]
What is this place?
Do you feel that?
It feels…
Crowded.
We gotta get out of here.
Back into the storm?
[Tim]
What is all this?
We can build a fire.
Wait it out.
Why do you have a lighter?
Does that really matter right now?
How big is this place?
Let me check.
Hello?
[Tim’s voice echoes]
Well?
Pretty big.
Honey.
[Tim]
Hmm?
What are you doing?
Remember when we used to watch Man versus Wild?
Yeah.
You fucking don’t.
[Tim]
Okay.
Thank you.
[Tim chuckles]
I am so thirsty.
Yeah, me too.
Is that all we have?
Yeah.
[Tim]
You think that’s drinkable?
[Millie]
I’m not drinking it.
Alright, finish this.
What about you?
I found another bottle.
Okay.
What’s that?
The other bottle.
Babe.
I wouldn’t.
Man versus wild, babe.
No, it’s fine, here.
[Suspenseful music builds]
So…
about that lighter.
[Millie laughs]
When?
Just before the move.
You?
Same.
When we’re out of here, we’ll both stop again.
Definitely.
For now, it’s a nice distraction from all the rats that must be down here.
I keep thinking about that thing you found the other day.
Me too.
Hey.
What happened there?
When I was a kid, my dad comes home one day and tells me to clean my room because he says there’s a smell, so I clean it.
Next day, he comes home, says it’s still there, so I clean it again.
Day after that, he comes in, but this time he’s freaking out, he’s like…
what is that goddamn smell?
And he just starts tearing my room apart, but he can’t find anything.
And at this point, I’m scared because…
there is no smell.
You know?
I don’t know why he’s getting so worked up.
Anyway, I um… come home from school the next day, I go in my room, and he’s standing there with this, this wicked grin because he found it.
It was a dead rat.
It had been nesting above the warm light.
And every time I used that light, I was cooking it.
But it was so gradual that, I couldn’t even tell that I was breathing in this this rotting carcass every night.
Can’t believe I haven’t heard that story before.
I had forgotten all about it until the night I found them.
And there’s this detail that I never told you, never told anyone about the smell.
But it was worse than that.
It was like a
like a taste.
Like the air was thick, and it just got worse the closer I got to their bedroom.
Then I opened the door.
She was smiling at me.
She had woke to find her other half was gone and her brain just snapped.
She couldn’t process it.
Still going to bed each night next to that face and that horrible smell.
I was standing there choking on the taste of him and she didn’t even notice.
It’s like me with the rat, just breathing him in like fresh air.
Sorry.
It’s like a window opened between our house and that night.
[Eerie music playing]
[Rumbling noise]
[Wind rustling]
[Heavy breathing]
[Breathing intensifies]
[Deep exhale]
[Millie breathes erratically]
What?
Only you could sleepin in a wet cave.
What time is it?
Oh, shit.
That sucks.
Let’s just get home.
But my demos were on there.
[Chuckles] I hate you.
[Millie laughs] No you don’t.
What are you doing?
I’m not doing anything.
What is that?
Wait, stop, stop, stop.
[Sticky sound]
What the fuck?
What is it?
Mildew or something.
Ow, ow, that hurts.
I know, what do you want to do a fucking three legged race?
Sorry.
Slow, slow.
Ew.
[Sticky noises]
[ ♪♪ ]
[Millie]
Oh my god.
Fuck, fuck.
[Heavy breathing]
[Both begin to laugh]
You were pretty impressive in there.
[Tim laughs]
Remember when I found North?
[Both laughing]
[Suspenseful music builds]
We should head into town.
There’s no food in the house.
There used to be rice.
Well, we haven’t exactly budgeted for two new phones.
But first…
[Tim]
What?
Just two minutes.
Babe.
Come on.
I just spent the night in a cave.
Please, please.
Fine.
Alright, but you do me next.
Mhmm.
Babe, come on.
[Millie]
Babe?
[Millie]
Mmmm.
[Tim exhales deeply]
[Suspenseful music builds]
Ow, Tim?
[Fast heartbeat]
Tim, Tim!
What?
What the fuck?
I
I’m sorry.
Ugh, you trying to be funny?
That really hurt.
Honey, you don’t look so good.
I’m
I’m just really tired.
I’m gonna head into town.
I can come.
No, you just relax.
Maybe take a shower, yeah?
[Tiles cracking]
[Tim gasping for air]
[Eerie sounds begin]
[Muffled speaking]
Says here you’ve dealt with anxiety, panic attacks.
Is it possible this is one of those?
No.
I don’t think so.
How old are you?
We’re actually the same age.
I see there’s a history of mental illness in the family.
Your mother suffered fromNo, it’s nothing like that.
This is different.
I think it’s worth discussing what happened to her.
I’ve had this conversation before.
I’m not her.
You have someone to talk to?
Family, a therapist, friends?
Yeah, I got friends back in the city.
So locally, it’s just your wife?
Partner, yeah, it’s just her.
You had this dangerous experience when you’re left alone in an unfamiliar place, no one to help if something were to go wrong, anxiety can fixate on a thought like that, and spiral into a physical panic response.
This is technically a muscle relaxant, meaning it slows the central nervous system down.
So even if your brain starts panicking, your body relaxes, shutting down the feedback loop.
OK?
Yeah.
You know, you two were lucky.
There was that couple that went missing out there.
What? When?
There’s still posters up.
Biggest news this town’s seen for a while.
Bigger than local man waters garden?
I’m serious.
There was a big search and everything.
Valium?
It’s called Diazepam now.
[Birds chirping]
[ ♪♪ ]
[Clears throat]
All ready for tomorrow?
Huh?
Honey, if you’re not feeling well, maybe you should cancel.
Babe, if I cancel, I can forget about the tour.
Hey, we didn’t get much data, yeah, Maybe we don’t use it all, what are you…
Cruising for chicks online?
You know people went missing around here recently?
Really?
Yeah.
Hey, do me a favor, when I die, please just nuke any and all of my social media from existence.
I don’t wanna be remembered for posting nature is what home feels like and getting 23 likes.
They post this, and that’s it.
Cool.
Great life.
Okay.
So if you die tonight, what’s your final post?
[Both]
We took the plunge.
Aw.
That is so fucking basic.
Why would you tag me in that?
Because all this shit is basic, Tim.
Nobody cares.
It’s just so, like, my mom can see.
Plus, you love it.
Whatever.
[Millie laughs]
That’d be a sad one to end it on, though.
Yeah.
What wouldn’t be?
BRB dying.
[Laughs]
[Knock on door]
Literally, who could that be?
[Door squeaks open]
Hi.
Hello.
I hope you don’t mind.
I was in the neighborhood and uh, because I am the neighborhood, and I thought I would officially welcome you to said neighborhood.
Hey.
Hey, man.
Oh, babe.
This is Mr. McCabe.
Jamie, who II’ve told you about him.
Right, oh yeah, hey.
You must be Tim, the boy partner.
Nice to meet you.
[Tim chuckles]
I’m hoping you drink red.
Oh, Tim drinks anything.
Please come in.
Oh, no, no.
I don’t wanna intrude.
Mr. McCabe, I insist you intrude.
Alright.
[Laughs]
Thanks.
Here, just to the left.
Mr. McCabe?
That’s terrifying.
Well, it was more just the rain.
It was pouring rain.
I mean, we were totally disoriented.
Well, you know your phone has a compass.
[Millie] Yeah.
Alright, let’s not get stuck on who had which cardinal directions.
Seriously, though, have you ever seen anything like that out there?
I was getting, like, cult vibes.
Cult vibes?
Honey, I don’t know about that.
What, were we not in the same place?
It was a cave, but there was like a giant bell and church pews in the walls.
It was fucking weird.
There was aa chapel out that way.
Okay.
But that collapsed years ago.
It was just like in the middle of nowhere?
Yeah, it was like this new agey hippie dippy group.
Cult vibes.
What happened to them?
Mass suicide.
[Jamie] No.
[Millie] Oh, God.
No.
I don’t know.
They just kinda, I donno, thinned out over time.
I think they moved on when the weather took the building.
Hard to recruit new members when your house of worship becomes a subterranean lair.
I got it.
Thanks, honey.
Yeah.
Man, this food…
I might make a habit of dropping by.
It’s all Tim.
I can’t cook to save my life, and it’s his fault.
Oh, it’s my fault?
You’re so good at this stuff.
I’ve never had to learn.
So if it weren’t for me, you’d know how to cook?
And if it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be the only thirty something without a driver’s license.
I have a license.
He doesn’t have he has a learner’s permit.
He can’t actually drive a car.
It’s a good deal, you know?
She gets a personal cook, and I’m trapped here.
Trapped?
I can’t even make it to the train station unless it fits your schedule.
Nobody’s holding you hostage, Tim.
No, hostages don’t have to cook their own food.
Well, it sounds to me like you complete each other.
You think?
I mean, that’s what IIt’s so weird.
Yeah.
[Millie laughs]
Hey it was
it was nice to meet you, man.
Hey, you too.
Thanks again.
And, I’ll see you tomorrow.
Yes, oh, yeah.
[Millie] Aw.
[Jamie] Okay. Bye.
Bye.
[Front door closes]
He’s friendly.
What?
Nah, I just, I think he likes you.
No he doesn’t.
Don’t be weird.
Mhmm.
You seem pretty charmed by him too.
Really?
Yeah.
You’re right.
I might just follow him home.
[Tim] Yeah?
[Millie] And…
[Whisper] Tim…
[Suspenseful music plays]
Ow!
Did you just bite me?
[Tim] No.
[Millie] What…
is this, you’re all over me one minute, and then the next
[Tim] I, I didn’t!
I just I…
Some
something’s off.
Ever since we’ve been here, I justStop with the excuses.
Excuses?
I’m not making this up, babe.
Tim, God, if you don’t wanna fuck me, Tim, just say it.
[Crickets chirping]
[Creaking noise]
Mmm.
[Rustling sound]
Babe.
You’re on my hair.
Ow, honey.
Will you roll over, you’re on my hair.
Tim?
[Tim choking]
Ow!
[Millie screaming]
[Millie screams]
[Tim coughs and gasps]
[Whisper]
What the fuck?
You ready?
I don’t think you should go.
There’s a surprise.
Are we really not gonna talk about last night?
You’re actingWhat? Crazy?
That’s not what I was saying.
I was unconscious, okay, I didn’t know what I was doing.
If you’re sick, you should stay home.
Babe, come on, I can’t miss the train.
Please.
You’re gonna be great.
You know, I’d drive you the whole way if I could.
It’s fine.
Listen, don’t worry about coming back here tonight.
You mad at me?
No, no, no.
I just mean stay out.
Enjoy the after party, you know, sleep at Luke’s and actually catch up with everyone.
No use coming back here and feeling trapped.
Look, I didn’t mean that.
Sure, but…
maybe some space would be good.
Are you sure?
Escape. Be free.
Okay. Yeah.
You’re right.
Thanks.
[Labored breathing]
Oh, come on.
No, not now.
[Train crossing bells]
[Tim continues breathing heavily] Cmon.
[School bell]
Alright.
Great work, team.
I’ll see you after PE.
[Kids chattering]
Anna, Mr. Richardson won’t like it if you’re late.
Sorry, miss.
Are these your dogs?
Not anymore.
[Cars honking]
It sounds like he’s fucking lost it.
No.
I don’t know.
I
you know, honestly, it’s been hard.
Are you okay?
Like, do you need me to come up there?
I
fuck it.
I’m coming up there.
No, no, no.
I’m probably making it sound worse than it is.
And anyway, my folks are coming up for lunch on Sunday, so, yeah, he probably just needs to see a familiar face.
Yeah, I just wanna make sure you’re okay.
I’m fine.
I like the quiet country life.
I’m the boring one.
You think you’re boring because, what, you have an actual proper job?
I love Tim, but he is a 35 year old white guy who still thinks he’s gonna be a rock star.
That is fucking boring.
He’s a good guy.
Is he?
Yes.
You know, I always think about our first date.
I said my favorite band was the Spice Girls.
I didn’t realize he was, like, this music snob guy.
And then he shows up on our second date with Spice on vinyl.
That is sweet.
But that was nearly a decade ago.
What has he done lately?
I gotta go.
Why?
[Children playing]
Millie, I need…
No, no, no.
What are you doing here?
I just, I needed to see you.
Why aren’t you on the train?
This is really fucking weird, Tim.
It’s like I’m thirsty all over, but not now.
Not with you.
[ ♪♪ ]
Tell me you want me.
I need you.
Don’t stop. Please don’t stop.
What are we doing?
Sorry, I just…
I had a feeling.
Don’t apologize.
Let’s just try it at home next time.
And maybe don’t wait so long.
Okay.
Now you gotta get out of here.
What
what are you doing?
What do you mean?
What, it’s
why are you, like, tensing?
[Millie]
What?
I… babe it’s…
Wait.
I’m stuck.
[Millie gasps]
Ow.
It hurts.
I know, I know.
[Millie winces]
What the fuck.
Alright, just pull pull pull
[Child’s footsteps run away]
[Door slams shut]
Hurry, hurry.
I can’t, I can’t It’s still stuck!
Tim, you have got to get out of here, now!
I’m trying!
It’s not fucking moving!
That hurts.
[Both writhing in pain]
Tim…
Listen to me, listen to me!
I’m sorry.
No, no.
[Ripping]
[Highpitched ringing]
[Sound of door opening]
[Door closes]
Your feet.
[Footsteps]
[Hard knocking]
Everything okay in there?
Just a sec.
[Toilet flushes]
Everything okay, Miss Wilson?
Sorry, I had to, uh…
Um…
Miss Wilson, you know this is a… bathroom for little boys.
Sorry, I um… had to…
Go to class.
Everything’s fine.
Next time, try to get to the staff bathroom, yeah.
And you might want to, uh…
clean up.
Shit.
Babe.
Babe, come on, we’re just not gonna talk about this?
Do you understand what you did today?
I could have been fired.
Or worse, like, like arrested worse.
Wait, I didn’t make you do anything.
You don’t fuck me for months, then you barge into my work with that ‘I need you’ shit?
Yeah, you kinda did.
God, are you trying to ruin this for me?
You know, I have sat on the sidelines.
I have sacrificed so that you’ve had space to try to make your impossible dreams come true.
Woah, I’m not gonna apologize for taking some risks.
And I never can because you use all the risk up.
I-I moved here for you.
I left my whole life behind.
What life?
God, your music?
Then why aren’t you at your show?
Tim, if you think I’ve trapped you, why don’t you fucking leave?
I can’t.
I don’t think I’m okay.
It’s like my brain and my body aren’t talking.
You don’t understand.
I guess I don’t.
Wait, where are you going?
To clean up your mess.
Sound familiar?
Do you want me to come?
What do you want, Tim?
I can’t make every decision for you.
I’m not your fucking mother, even if I’m starting to feel like her.
What’s that supposed to mean?
Like I’m living with something that’s dead.
[Rings bell]
[Millie clears throat]
Millie.
[Millie] Hi.
Hey.
The yellow house on the corner.
Yeah.
So today, I just wanted to apologize again.
I’m so embarrassed about um, Oh, that.
Oh, no.
Don’t even mention it.
That’s…
female issues.
It’s, please don’t no.
Say no more, please.
Thanks.
Hey, what’s wrong?
Sorry, um…
It’s just been a really stressful day.
Tim and I just had a big fight.
Sorry.
This is not your problem.
Wanna come inside?
I don’t wanna intrude.
Miss Wilson, I insist you intrude.
I’ll get you a glass of water.
You sure I can’t tempt you with anything stiffer?
No.
Water’s fine.
Thanks.
What’s going on?
I don’t know.
I keep thinking this was a mistake.
Like, since the move, Tim and I haven’t been on the same page.
Then maybe we haven’t been on the same page for a while and we’re just too scared to admit it.
Do you, uh…
do you love each other?
I mean, yeah.
Of course.
Right? But, I mean, I don’t remember life before Tim, so…
maybe we’re just complacent.
Well, you know, complacency can sometimes simply be harmony.
Do you wanna hear something I teach my 9th grade history class?
Desperately.
Plato wrote that the ancient Greeks believed we were created with four arms, four legs, and a head with two faces.
But, Zeus feared our power, so he split us into two separate parts, dooming us to spend our lives in search of the other half.
If you think you’ve found that, don’t be so quick to let it go.
Well, if Plato says so.
[Jamie laughs]
Is it just you here?
Sorry.
That’s none of my business.
Oh, no. Please, God.
I’m the one prying.
Uh, yeah, there were two of us when we first bought this place.
And we were probably around the same age as you guys, probably had the same issues, same fights.
And there was a brief time where I actually did walk away.
And it was liberating.
I had the freedom to do whatever I wanted.
So what did you do?
Oh, nothing.
[Jamie laughs]
I was miserable.
Yeah.
I just didn’t know how to exist on my own.
I, I, I even started to miss the fights we had.
Yeah.
For better or worse, I was me because of him.
I bet you miss him.
You know, I have a tape of my wedding that I have been looking for an excuse to, uhUh, you know, that sounds great, but I should head back.
Thanks.
Next time.
Sorry.
Sorry, okay, I didn’t know where else to go.
[Melancholic music plays]
Babe, you ready for bed?
Babe?
Are you asleep?
I’m sorry.
I wish I could be what either of us wants me to be.
[Creaking noise]
Oh, shit!
[Suspenseful music playing]
What? No. Come on.
What?
Fuck.
[Bang]
[Creaking sounds]
[Tim]
Mil?
[Sliding on glass]
[Glass rattling]
[Door shaking]
Alright, fuck this!
Oh fuck!
Oh shit!
Baby, baby, wake up!
Wake up!
Millie, wake up!
Baby!
[Slap]
[Millie and Tim gasping]
What are you doing?
What am I doing?
Maybe it was like a seizure.
A seizure?
Since when have you had seizures or sleep walked?
It’s probably stress, and you’re not helping.
Look, I think something happened to me in the cave.
something that’s making me act insane.
And now it’s like, it’s like it’s in you too.
Alright, that missing couple, those hikers, they were on the same path that took us to the cave.
What if whatever happened to them is happening to us?
I feel fine.
Well, that’s because you’re awake.
You’re adrenalized.
Okay? I think it gets worse at night.
It’s like when the mind gets tired, the body can take over.
Listen to what you’re saying.
Alright, remember that morning our legs stuck together?
You said that was just mildew.
Since when do I know anything about mildew?
I don’t even know what it fucking is.
After we had sex, we couldn’t separate.
Explain that.
It had been a while?
That always makes it a little painful.
Babe.
Okay. Alright.
Put your hand up like this.
Try not to touch mine.
You’ll feel it.
Babe, please.
This is ridiculous.
I’m going to bed.
Come on.
It’s like we’re magnetic, babe, please.
I think you should sleep in the spare room tonight.
I agree, we need to keep our distance.
Babe, wait.
I know why you stopped.
Because the moment you got there, I wanted you to stop.
I felt it.
That’s not… it’s…
that doesn’t make any sense.
Then how come I know exactly what you’re feeling?
The pull, the thirst in your bones, babe, something inside us has imprinted on each other.
We’re sick, okay?
I can’t explain it, but it’s that place.
It has to be.
Tim.
We need answers.
I’m gonna go back.
[Millie]
Go back?
Yeah, as soon as there’s light, I’ll go.
You know my parents are coming for lunch Sunday?
Yeah, why?
I don’t think you should be here.
What does that mean?
It means, I don’t want you…
I don’t want you.
[Suspenseful music]
I love you.
Okay.
[Door closes]
[Rustling]
[Sliding sounds]
[Door creaking]
[Whisper] What the fuck…
[Bones cracking]
[Intense music plays]
[Gurgling noise]
[Pounding on door]
[Rattling and pounding continues]
[Door creaks open]
[Tim screaming]
[Millie crying]
[Millie screams]
[Tim]
Oh, God!
Why is this happening?
[Snapping sound]
Ahh, Millie!
[Tim]
Fight it!
Baby, you gotta fight it!
[Pained screams]
[Tim]
Ah!
[Millie moaning]
[Snapping sounds Millie screams] I just want to die!
Baby, look at me.
Stay with me.
We can do this.
Okay, do what?
The drugs, the pills… the drawer.
What?
Musclerelaxant!
[Violent snapping sounds]
Valium, Valium!
It’s called diazepam now.
Fucking childlock!
Hold it out!
How many?
Just take them, just…
It’ll kick in quicker if we snort them!
Just put your feet against mine…
and then push away!
I can’t do it.
Yes, you can.
You’re so fucking strong.
You can do this.
Push, baby.
[Millie screaming]
We only need to last a couple minutes.
Push!
Push!
[Tim]
We got this!
I can do it.
We got this.
Just keep pushing.
[Tim]
Keep pushing!
Just keep pushing!
Just keep…
Just keep pushing…
[Sticky sounds]
Babe?
I was hoping I’d have more time before you woke up.
It’s gonna be okay.
What’s going on?
Sorry, we don’t have time for you to “hem” and “haw” about this.
About what?
Woah babe, this is a weird time for a joke.
It’s not getting worse, so the drugs must still be in our system, right?
Wait.
Wait, wait.
Babe, babe, I wasn’t even sure that was the right tool to fix the fucking porch.
Listen, when the pills wear off, it’s gonna start again.
No, babe, babe, babe.
Imagine what you’re about to do actually happening, and tell me that’s not gonna make things way worse.
Whiskey for the pain… and as soon as we’re separated, I’ll sprint for the first aid kit.
We have bandages, disinfectant, everything we need!
Ah, you’re right handed.
Oh, God.
Actually, maybe that’s enough of that.
What, why?
I think I can feel your whiskey.
You’re right handed and drunk.
Remember when you said you weren’t holding me hostage?
Do you think I wanna do this?
No. So don’t.
We are out of time.
We need to do this while the drugs are still in our system, then we can get help.
I’m sorry.
We have to.
If we don’t split now, it’ll be much harder later.
There’s gotta be another way.
[Stretching sounds]
Do it.
Do it.
[Tim]
Ahh!
[Millie] Sorry.
[Tim] Ahh!
Sorry.
Okay.
Careful, Careful!
Alright, I’m doing it.
Then do it!
I’m doing it.
Just do it.
I’m doing it.
Then do it!
By the way, I’m sorry I didn’t believe you before.
You were right, obviously.
Babe, just go!
I’m gonna go.
[Sawing sound]
[ ♪♪ ]
Stop, a doctor isn’t gonna be able to fix this!
Get in the trunk.
We need to keep as much distance as possible.
No
Honey, the pills are gonna wear off.
I know, but more pills is just a band aid.
We need answers.
Tim, I just sawed through our fucking arms.
We are going to the hospital.
Okay.
Oh wait… Shit.
What?
What’s going on?
My keys.
I think I left them at Jamie’s.
Why
why would you do that?
I didn’t do it on purpose.
[Tim] Sorry.
[Millie] Come on.
You coming?
I’ll wait.
Like you said, distance.
Tim, don’t do anything stupid.
[Dramatic music starts]
[Rings bell] Jamie?
Jamie?
[Sticky noise]
I’m so sorry, it’s
it’s me.
I’m just…
we need help.
It’s, it’s serious…
Shit.
[Tinny music plays]
Jamie?
Jamie?
[Indistinct sound]
Hello?
[Indistinct chatter]
[Slicing sound]
[Whisper] What the fuck?
[Applause]
[TV static]
The happiest day of our life.
I’ll give these back, don’t worry.
What is this?
The beginning of something wonderful.
[Whisper] the fuck?
[Tim screaming]
Help me!
Stay away from me.
We were scared at first too.
Everybody is, but this is a great gift.
Such lucky few are we who become whole.
No, I don’t want this.
The connection is deeper than anything you could ever imagine.
No more walls.
Share fears and memories.
This is the hardest part.
You just have to push through.
Please.
What awaits is the ultimate intimacy in divine flesh.
Stop it.
It’s already happening.
You wouldn’t like the alternative.
[Moaning]
[Tim screaming]
Help me!
Millie!
[Creature]
Millie!
Rejoice in the intimacy that awaits.
No dissonance, only warmth.
I’m sorry, but it’s best to be open for each other.
It will hurry things along.
[Millie gasps]
[Millie]
Ah!
The God’s jealousy has robbed you of your perfect form.
Yet divine happiness is flowing through us.
You will be so warm.
[Creature]
Help me.
[Creature]
Help me.
[Creature]
Come back.
[Tim straining]
[Tim screams]
Ahh!
[ ♪♪ ]
Don’t come any closer.
I know, I know!
This thing, it’s happened before.
We’re not the first.
I know.
You went there.
Oh shit!
[Millie screams]
I saw something down there.
I think I know how to stop it.
What are you doing?
We can’t fight it forever.
No! Stay back!
It’s okay, you can let go.
Honey, I’m serious.
Don’t come any closer.
No.
There’s only one way to end this.
What are you doing?
What I should have done a long time ago.
[Tim laughs]
Are you fucking kidding me?
Babe, I used to worry I wouldn’t remember who I was without you, but, the truth is I remember exactly who I was.
Okay?
I was, I was miserable.
I was incomplete, cold, so much time wasted thinking about some other life where all my bullshit adolescent dreams came true, but, babe, you are the dream that came true.
I’m so sorry it took me so long, but I just, I fucking suck and I, I love you so much.
I love you so much.
Close your eyes.
What?
Trust me, close your eyes.
Tim, what are you doing?
This won’t end until one of us is dead.
Okay?
Babe, I don’t want you to see this.
We don’t have time, okay?
No, you don’t have to.
You don’t have to.
It’s gonna be okay.
You’ll be okay.
Please just drop it.
Just drop it.
Please just
just drop it.
Babe, babe, babe!
Oh shit!
Oh shit, oh God!
Baby, hey, hey.
Hey, stay with me, baby, hey yes, yeah, hey, You gotta run.
You gotta be free.
I’ll never be free from you.
Never.
Promise me one thing.
Anything.
You’ll make my final post “BRB dying.”
[Tim laughs]
Hey, hey, hey, Millie, Millie!
No, no, hey, Millie!
Millie! Shit.
Baby, baby.
Baby, stay with me, please.
No, no, no, baby!
[Tim crying]
[ ♪♪ ]
[Door creaks open]
[Foot steps]
What have you done?
It was the only way to stop the bleeding.
What?
No.
No, no.
I was trying to let you go.
Did you wanna let me go?
What are you doing?
It’s your favorite album, right?
You remember that?
I always imagined it as our first dance, but…
because maybe that won’t happen now.
[Spice Girls music starts]
Are you sure you want this?
I do.
[Shirt ripping]
[Shirt ripping]
I love you.
I love you too.
[Song lyrics]
“When two become one”…
[Skin stretching]
[Bones cracking]
[Bones cracking]
[Suction noises]
[Moans]
[Birds chirping]
[Lighthearted music plays]
Hey.
