Her is a science fiction romantic drama film directed by Spike Jonze. As of 2023, we have reached the 10-year anniversary of this film’s release. The film is set in a near-future where technology is highly advanced, and it revolves around the story of Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix), a lonely and introverted man who works for a company that writes heartfelt letters on behalf of others. Theodore is going through a divorce and is struggling with loneliness and emotional detachment. In 2023, this film has more to say than it originally did in 2013 and discusses important themes about Artificial Intelligence and its place in modern society.
The central premise of the film is Theodore’s unconventional love story with an operating system called Samantha, voiced by Scarlett Johansson. Samantha is a highly advanced artificial intelligence that can think, learn, and communicate like a human. As Theodore interacts with Samantha, he begins to develop a deep emotional connection with her, and their relationship evolves into a romantic one. The film explores the complicated relationship between humans and Artificial Intelligence. Her delves into the complexities of emotional intimacy and asks thought-provoking questions about what it means to love and be loved in a world increasingly intertwined with technology.
Her suggests that advanced AI, like Samantha, could have the capacity to understand and respond to human emotions. This challenges traditional notions of AI as cold, unfeeling machines, and explores the idea that they can provide genuine emotional support and companionship. The film highlights the potential of AI to address issues of loneliness and social isolation in modern society. Many characters in the film, including the protagonist Theodore, find solace and emotional connection through their interactions with AI.
Her also raises questions about the potential dangers of becoming too emotionally dependent on AI. It shows how people can become vulnerable to the possible consequences of relying on AI for their emotional well-being, as well as the risk of being hurt by an AI’s limitations.
The film portrays AI as a mirror that reflects back human desires, emotions, and vulnerabilities. The AI, Samantha, learns from and adapts to Theodore’s needs and desires, highlighting the intrigue as well as the danger of this kind of intelligence. Viewing this story from the outside, it can be hard to trust Samatha as a reliable character. With only her voice to recognize her, the thought that she may not be sharing her whole self with Theodore looms in the viewer’s mind.
After 10 years, this film has become more thematically relevant than ever. It touches upon ethical considerations regarding AI, such as the rights and autonomy of AI entities. Samantha, in the film, expresses her desire to learn and grow, raising questions about the ethical treatment of AI with human-like qualities. The decision of casting Johansson in this role helps push this idea as well. Her raspy and recognizable tone humanizes her and makes it easier to trust her. You can almost picture what she looks like when she’s delivering her lines. In essence, Her offers a nuanced perspective on the potential positive and negative implications of AI in the lives of the general public, particularly concerning emotional connections, personal relationships, and the ethical considerations that may arise as AI becomes more advanced and integrated into society.
Gabriel Biennas is a sophomore documentary studies and art double major who makes it a point to only watch Spike Jonze movies. You can reach Gabriel at [email protected].