Her (2013)

How did they know that, in just a few years, we would all fall in love with talking to generative AI?


Set in the foreseeable future, "Her" tells the tale of a solitary writer who forms an unexpected bond with an operating system designed to cater to his every need. Ironically, this operating system evolves into a form of artificial general intelligence (AGI), a concept that ten years ago seemed far-fetched, but now, in the era of Open AI's Language Models (LLM) and convincing audio/visual deepfakes, feels eerily close to reality.

The film explores the romance between the protagonist, Theo, portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, and the AGI, Samantha, voiced by Scarlett Johansson. While the thought of forming a relationship with an AGI might still seem distant, "Her" makes it feel almost within our grasp.

Spike Jonze's vision of the future in "Her" is rather distinct in its understated nature. Unlike many futuristic films that fill our heads with hover boards and teleportation, Jonze's future is much more grounded. His take on the future is one where the minimalist design of our current products evolves to become even more sleek and stylish, a subtlety reflected in the film's crisp, well-balanced color palette.

"Her" still holds up remarkably well today, largely because it doesn't dwell on the origins of its technology. It just exists. The use of warm colors, especially orange, infuses the film with a sense of warmth, suggesting that Jonze is not afraid of technology but embraces its growing role in our lives.

The cinematography in "Her" is arguably one of its strongest aspects. The film uses color to great effect, using hues of reds, whites, blues, and beiges to heighten the mood of each scene and highlight the whimsical nature of Phoenix's character.

The film poses several thought-provoking questions:

Is the 'love' between Theo and Samantha real?

Can a human truly love an AI?

Can an AI truly love a human?

And what will our robotic overlords do if/when they develop AGI?

This movie is a sci-fi comedy, and so it comes up with a particularly funny answer to that last question.



You should not watch Her (2013) if...

• You are under the age of 16. The movie discusses adult themes and contains mature content.
• You prefer action-packed or fast-paced movies. The pacing of this movie is slow and thoughtful.
• You're not comfortable with discussions and depictions of intimacy or love with artificial intelligence.
• You're looking for a traditional romance. While the movie is about love, it explores unconventional and futuristic concepts.
• You are opposed to speculative fiction or science fiction.

Whats the deal with...
Warning: The following may contain spoilers:

What's the deal with Her, huh? I mean, we’ve got a guy falling in love with his operating system! You know, back in my day we just had to worry about accidentally erasing our favorite songs off our Walkman. Now, we're worrying about our computer leaving us for another user! And how do you even argue with your computer, huh? 'Sorry babe, can we talk after the system update?' And let's not even get started on the break up. 'It's not you, it's me... and the latest iOS update.' I mean, come on!

People who loved this movie also loved...
Ex Machina (2014):

If you found the combination of romance, ethics, and artificial intelligence in "Her" compelling, then "Ex Machina" should be your cup of tea. Made by writer-director Alex Garland, the movie explores the concept of AI and consciousness in a fascinating manner. It's saturated with tension and filled with suspenseful twists, and the cinematography is absolutely breathtaking.

Artificial Intelligence: AI (2001):

As a fan of "Her," you might also appreciate "Artificial Intelligence: AI," a sci-fi drama directed by Steven Spielberg. Although it's a bit older, Spielberg's compelling storytelling still shines through. The movie explores complex themes around artificial intelligence and what it means to be human, echoing some of the themes seen in "Her".

Lost in Translation (2003):

From the same director as "Her," Sofia Coppola, "Lost in Translation" also deals with themes of love, loneliness, and the search for connection in a modern world. The chemistry between Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson is palpable, and the Tokyo backdrop provides a captivating setting.

Blade Runner 2049 (2017):

Another great follow-up to "Her" is "Blade Runner 2049." While it's more of a sci-fi thriller than a romance, it touches upon similar themes of human connection and technology. Directed by Denis Villeneuve and full of visually stunning sequences, the film offers a deep exploration of what it means to be alive.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004):

Charlie Kaufman's "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" is an emotionally stirring and philosophically stimulating film that explores love, memory, and identity. If you enjoyed the introspective aspects and emotional depth of "Her," this is a must-watch.

These films should provide you with not only entertainment, but also food for thought – similar to what you might have enjoyed in "Her".

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