Significant Other is available to stream now exclusively on Paramount+ in the UK.
Synopsis
Significant Other follows a young couple (Maika Monroe & Jake Lacy) who take a remote backpacking trip through the Pacific Northwest, but things take a dark turn when they realize they may not be alone.
Review
What could be better than a picturesque tour of the stunning Pacific Northwest? The scenery, the fresh air. Spending time with your significant other. Sounds perfect right? It also sounds like the perfect setting for a survival horror from writer/directors Dan Berk and Robert Olsen.
In many ways Significant Other has all the hallmarks of the classic survival movie. We have our leading lady in It Follows’ Maika Monroe. As the conflicted Ruth, Monroe is intoxicating to watch. Berk and Olsen’s script devotes almost the entire first half of the story to exploring Ruth’s relationship with Harry (Jake Lacy). With nothing but their spectacular surroundings, Ruth and Harry’s imperfections are laid out for all to see.
Whilst the slow burn approach may not be to everyones taste. Berk and Olsen attack the film from the perfect perspective. How else are we supposed to care when things go wrong if we’ve barely spent any time with our characters? Learning even the smallest details about their relationship helps to build that connection with the audience. It’s clear early on that Harry is experience at hiking whilst Ruth is anxious about their adventure. She’s there due to her devotion to him and that speaks volumes about who she is.
Whilst it’s clear that Ruth and Harry aren’t alone in the woods, Significant Other doesn’t rush to explain what’s going on. Though the opening shot is rather a giveaway, the rest of the 84 minute runtime is unpredictable in all the right ways. It slowly ramps up to a twist that is difficult to see coming and then stamps its foot on the gas to jump from moment to moment through to a final shot which entices fans to demand a sequel.
Significant Other‘s sense of tension builds in no small part due to the excellent soundscape from composer Oliver Coates (Aftersun). Even when we’re simply following Ruth and Harry through the woods, the rising sense of stress in the score gives the sense that the couple are being constantly watched. It certainly kept me on the edge of my seat and brilliantly underpinned the overall tone of the film.
It’s difficult to say too much more without spoiling the incredible second half. Significant Other is absolutely the kind of film that needs to be discovered first hand. As it veers off in to sci-fi-tinged horror, the film revels in how much it’s able to surprise the audience. Enhancing the already luscious visual landscape with sparse use of visual effects.
As it reaches its conclusion, Berk and Olsen’s story doubles back to Ruth, reaffirming her character journey and doing justice to the belief that its characters are as important as its premise.
Verdict
Significant Other is certainly worthy of a spot on your Halloween watchlist. Between unexpected choices and Matt Mitchell’s inspired cinematography the film is one of the more inventive survival horrors.
⭐⭐⭐
