Movies…with a little bit of obscure culture and sports mixed in
I have said it once, and I will say it again. I love a good surprise. Significant Other (2022) is a brisk 84-minute Paramount+ original science fiction thriller set in the claustrophobic Pacific Northwest.
“Follows a young couple who take a remote backpacking trip through the Pacific Northwest and face sinister events leading them to realize that everything about the place is not as it seems.”
Director: Dan Berk, Robert Olsen
Writer: Dan Berk, Robert Olsen
Starring: Maika Monroe, Jake Lacy
Release Date: October 7, 2022
IMDB
I have said it once, and I will say it again. I love a good surprise. Significant Other (2022) is a brisk 84-minute Paramount+ original science fiction thriller set in the claustrophobic Pacific Northwest.
Significant Other is about two people in youthful and innocent love, Ruth (Malika Monroe) and Harry (Jake Lacy). The couple are set to go on a gloriously green hike through the deep woods. Harry is remarkably excited to share his hobby and interest with Ruth, and she is being a willing saint trying to embrace something new. Their happy-go-lucky disposition changes when Harry asks something Ruth doesn’t like, and the vibes only get worse when a terrible discovery in the woods shifts the vibes in irrefutable ways.
Significant Other is a science fiction mystery thriller with a tinge of suspense. The movie delves a bit more into philosophical spheres than one would expect, but not enough to take away from the story’s entertainment value. The idea of accepting who you are, changing who you are for someone else, and understanding your own weaknesses are all attacked with gentle probes. The script from writers and directors Dan Berk and Robert Olsen whispfully moves along its trail, never straying too far off the path. The audience is able to follow the connective dots to a conclusion that is both satisfying…and slightly underwhelming. It’s the journey of Significant Other that is worth checking out.
The Pacific Northwest setting works really well for the story of Significant Other. There is an air of undiscovered geographical treasure in that area of the United States and one can tell that the crew and cast were indeed living in Silver Falls, Oregon during filming. It is a small and tight-knit crew, and that connection is shown when Ruth is going through her phone contacts and all the names are different members of the production staff.
For those who haven’t seen the movie, this is where you need to leave this review. Spoilers are incoming.
I did not see the twist coming. Perhaps I am naive. Perhaps I am stupid. When Ruth shoved her potential husband off the cliff, I immediately rewound it and made sure that I saw what I saw. It is a great moment, followed by a nice tail of uncertainty. Ruth is wandering through the woods and we are all confused as to what the fuck is going to happen for the second half of the movie.
Then we get Harry coming back like a T-1000 killing poor unsuspecting hikers just trying to help Ruth. Yup, the liquid metallic killing machines made famous by Robert Patrick and James Cameron back their comeback in Significant Other. The similarities don’t die there. This alien being that seemingly can’t be killed can also transform into different beings and imitate their look and voice.
Eventually Ruth has a showdown with the alien in the cave at the film’s climax. It is at this point where I must regretfully state that the ending scuffles. It tries to wrap up all the movie’s introspective thoughts while also providing closure. The thing about self discovery is that it doesn’t stop, so to have it stall for a final showdown doesn’t work. Credit to Berk and Olsen for still writing in a bleak and continuous ending, but the final road bump before the last aerial view slows down the momentum.
In terms of overall themes, the way Significant Other explores the common phrase “they know me better than I know myself” is more than a worthy enough reason to tune into the story. Be prepared to think a little bit because Significant Other is an introspective movie, but it still has the popcorn moments needed for discussion.
For those who have seen the movie, all I have to say is “sharks.” I am not going to spoil this moment, but those who have seen Significant Other know exactly what moment, and specific shot I am talking about.
Not sure if Significant Other is good to watch with your…partner…but one could do much worse than this sub-90 minute sci-fi trek. It is a great surprise with a whiplash twist that makes the whole experience worthwhile.
STANKO RATING: C+
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