Significant Other is an ambitious sci-fi horror that was released for streaming on Paramount+. The film is a thought-provoking exploration of love and relationships, and a little bit of a character study. It opens with a red object falling from the sky into a wooded area and showing a deer being grabbed by a tentacle. The movie then follows Ruth (Maika Monroe) and Harry (Jake Lacy), a couple headed to a backpacking trip in the Pacific Northwest.

Early on, the viewer is given a sense of who each character is (and of the underlying tension in their relationship). As they make their way through the wilderness, it’s evident that something is stalking them. Shortly after a rejected marriage proposal amongst the gorgeous scenery, Ruth makes a sinister discovery in the forest. Coming out of those woods, they may never be the same again. This may sound like a movie you’ve seen before, but rest assured that it’s absolutely nothing like you’ve ever experienced.

Full of twists and surprises, this intriguing film subverts expectations time and time again. Each time you think you’re about to go through one door, it’s shut in your face. It’s a satisfying feeling to keep theorizing and guessing between each reveal. Significant Other starts by making you wonder which of its two characters you can trust, if either.

The chemistry between both actors is undeniable and their talents are on full display throughout the entirety of the movie. Monroe herself, as usual, gives a commanding performance. The only area which leaves wanting more, for some people, might be the end.