'Significant Other' Ending Explained: What Happened At The End Of The Film?

Margot Nolan
Dec 12, 2023
Dec 12, 2023

"Significant Other," the Paramount Plus original horror film, takes audiences on a rollercoaster ride through the stunning landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. Starring Maika Monroe as Ruth and Jake Lacy as Harry, the movie initially seems like a relationship drama set against the backdrop of a camping trip. However, it takes a sharp turn into the realms of horror and science fiction, leaving viewers with a jaw-dropping ending.

What Happened At The End Of 'Significant Other'?

The film kicks off with Ruth and Harry embarking on a seemingly ordinary camping trip, with the tension of Ruth's anxiety and Harry's unexpected marriage proposal creating an eerie atmosphere. The plot thickens when Ruth stumbles upon a mysterious cave, setting off a chain of events that unravel the true nature of their ordeal.

The turning point occurs when Ruth, dealing with her own panic attack triggers, pushes Harry off a cliff, only to discover that he was not who he seemed. The real Harry had been killed, and an alien shapeshifter had taken his form. This advanced scout from an alien planet was here to understand Earth and its inhabitants before a full-scale invasion.

Surprisingly, the alien replicant of Harry finds itself incapable of harming Ruth due to the genuine love it absorbed from the original Harry. Unable to overcome the newfound love for Ruth, the alien shifts its strategy. Instead of eliminating her, it makes a vow to save her from the imminent invasion by its species. The promise of salvation becomes a peculiar form of protection, revealing the alien's attempt to reconcile its mission with the unexpected emotions it has acquired.

Capturing Ruth but refraining from harm, the alien confines her in a cocoon within the cave. The alien, driven by the desire to understand and connect with Ruth, begins a transformative process, slowly morphing into a duplicate of her.

Ruth's survival becomes a paradoxical interplay of love and fear. While the alien's love for her prevents it from executing its original mission, Ruth's fear becomes a powerful tool in her hands. She exploits the alien's vulnerability, inducing a panic attack that ultimately leads to her escape.

'Significant Other' Ending Explained

While Ruth seemingly triumphs, the film concludes with an unsettling radio message from the alien, vowing to find her. As multiple spaceships descend, Earth appears on the brink of an imminent invasion, leaving the fate of humanity in jeopardy.

Beyond its sci-fi horror facade, "Significant Other" grapples with themes of love, self-acceptance, and societal pressures. Ruth's journey from anxiety-ridden rejection to confronting an alien invader becomes a metaphor for facing one's inner demons and societal expectations.

The movie masterfully explores the theme that one cannot escape their deepest fears. Even as Ruth attempts to distance herself from her alien encounter, the haunting voices on the radio and the descent of red meteors suggest an impending extraterrestrial threat that transcends her individual struggles.

What did the aliens want?

From the outset, the film establishes that the alien replicant's mission is to learn about Earth and its inhabitants. Taking the form of Harry, the alien embarks on a journey of assimilation, absorbing memories and experiences from both animals and humans. Its purpose is rooted in preparing for an impending invasion by its species.

Why didn't the alien try to kill Ruth?

As the alien replicant attempts to fulfill its mission, a profound twist occurs—it absorbs not only Harry's memories but also his emotions, including love and devotion for Ruth. This unexpected emotional connection becomes a pivotal factor that prevents the alien from carrying out its initial directive of killing Ruth.

In a unique revelation, the alien discovers that love, a distinctively human emotion, is a barrier to its destructive intentions. The love it inherits from Harry creates a moral conflict, rendering it incapable of harming Ruth. This internal struggle is a turning point, showcasing the depth of the emotional impact that human experiences can have on an extraterrestrial being.

Conclusion

"Significant Other" weaves a complex narrative that intertwines love, fear, and extraterrestrial elements. The ending, while enigmatic, serves as a metaphorical exploration of self-discovery, resilience, and the perpetual nature of personal struggles.

'Significant Other' Ending Explained: What Happened At The End Of The Film?

What Happened At The End Of 'Significant Other'?

'Significant Other' Ending Explained

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