Is Codependency Good?

Codependency functions as a foundational, positive force in long-term relationships rather than a sign of unhealthy enmeshment. Filmmakers Mark Duplass and Katie Aselton, married for nearly 20 years, argue that their deep interdependence acts as a stabilizing "fourth leg" to their lives, providing mutual support and profound emotional understanding. While they acknowledge the volatility and intense compromises required to maintain such closeness—often described as "necessary strangulation"—they emphasize that this shared life allows them to grow together toward a common future. Their relationship, which inspired their film *Magic Hour*, demonstrates that being fully known and supported by a partner can unlock personal potential and provide a centering force amidst life's challenges. Even as they maintain individual interests, their bond remains an essential, albeit complex, anchor that defines their daily existence and creative partnership.