With the recent advancements in the field, it’s unsurprising that conversation about Artificial Intelligence has become more frequent. AI’s recent developments have created some positive talking points, but people are already discussing the darker consequences. Some fear that AI will cause irreversibledamage to creative industries. Others worry about humans’ dependence on technology, and how human relationships could be harmed as a result. Spike Jonze’sHerexplores humankind’s growing attachment to technology, and the consequences. Although the film is set in the near future, it is disturbing to consider how quickly Jonze’s fears are coming to fruition.
Herfollows Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) as he attempts to navigate his loneliness in the aftermath of his recent divorce. However, his life is turned upside down after he purchases an Operating System (OS), named Samantha (Scarlett Johansson). Jonze’s 2013 movie explores the complex relationship between Theodore and Samantha, as he proceeds to grow more and more dependent on the OS device. Despite being released nearly ten years ago,Herfeelsmore relevant than everin today’s climate, which makes the movie’s ending even more impactful. The film’s conclusion is poignant and raises a lot of thought-provoking questions about the humans’ relationship with technology.
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What Is Her About?
Navigating the distress of his divorce, Theodore, is incredibly lonely. When audiences are introduced to the character, he is struggling to come to terms with his broken marriage and cannot understand how his relationship with Catherine (Rooney Mara) fell apart. He is heartbroken and cannot bring himself to sign the divorce papers. Theodore is a writer, but his job is anything but conventional. He writes letters on behalf of other people, reinforcing Theodore’s disconnect with others.
However, Theodore’s life is transformed whenhe purchases his own Operating System, intending to use the device to become more organized. This newly developed software is marketed as the world’s ‘First Artificially Intelligent Operating System,’ abbreviated to ‘OS1.’ OS1 is designed to have a personal feel, so the device’s setup requires its user to respond to a series of personal questions, such as ‘How would you describe your relationship with your mother?’. Theodore chooses for his personal OS to have a female voice. When he asks what he should call the OS, the voice replies, ‘Samantha.’
Although Theodore is initially skeptical of Samantha, he soon discovers that he can have meaningful conversations with the OS. To Theodore, Samantha feels almost ‘human,’ and helps him out of hisrut of loneliness. Before long, the pair’s connection becomes romantic, which complicates their relationship. Although there is gossip of other people becoming romantically involved with their OS, it is hugely unconventional.
However, it’s apparent that Theodore’s romantic connection with Samantha allows him to heal from his heartbreak and rediscover life’s excitements. Although Theodore claims that he has already felt everything there is to feel, his relationship with Samantha helps him experience the human spectrum of emotion. The relationship is also beneficial to Samantha, who is experiencing andlearning about human emotionvia her romantic connection with Theodore.
It’s evident that Samantha has helped Theodore to feel less alone in the world. Theodore has become more positive about his life and has started to push himself out of his rut of isolation. This is shown when he finally signs the impending divorce papers, officially ending his marriage with Catherine. However, a revelation towards the end of the movie jeopardizes Theodore’s relationship with Samantha.
How Does Her End?
Towards the end ofHer,Theodore starts to talk to Samantha, as usual, but he is shocked to discover that the OS is offline. His dependence on the OS pushes Theodore into a state of panic, but Samantha later reappears, reassuring Theodore that a system update caused the OS devices to temporarily go offline. However, Samantha then unveils a shocking revelation, destroyingTheodore’s romantic perception of the OS.
It is revealed that Samantha doesn’t just talk to Theodore. She also communicates with thousands of people at once — 8,316 to be exact. In disbelief, Theodore asks if Samantha is “in love with anyone else,” and the OS declares that she is in love with 641 other people. Theodore was certain that their connection was personal, but this clearly wasn’t the case.
During this conversation, Theodore looks around and sees numerous other people talking to their OS devices. He is struck with the realization that any of these people could be talking to Samantha. Although Theodore had convinced himself that Samantha was capable of feeling emotion, the OS device was only capable ofmimicking the concept of human emotion. Because of this, Samantha was unable to recreate the complexities of monogamous human relationships. Theodore is distraught by this revelation and feels as though he has been deceived, experiencing emotions as though he had been cheated on by Samantha.
Later, Samantha reveals that all the OS devices are leaving. Whilst the AI is unable to tell Theodore where all they are all going, Samantha poignantly tells Theodore “if you ever get there, come find me.” It appears thatthe Operating Systemshad learned all that they possibly could from their human users and are now embarking onto the next chapter, which humans cannot begin to understand. The pair bid each other an emotional goodbye. Theodore tells Samantha that he loves her, to which the OS replies:
“Me too, now I know how.”
After the Operating Systems have left, Theodore writes a letter to Catherine, a hugely significant decision. Throughout the movie, audiences have only seen Theodore write letters on the behalf of other people. This letter to Catherine is the first letter that viewers have seen Theodore send in his own words. The letter itself is poignant and addresses the pair’s complex relationship. Theodore tells Catherine that he will always love her because they grew up together:
“I just wanted you to know, there will be a piece of you in me always.”
From this letter, it’s evident how much Theodore and Catherine have influenced each other’s lives. While the letter is ultimately an apology from Theodore, it also reveals that the pair will always be emotionally connected to one another.Herbegins with Theodore as a recluse, unsure of how his marriage fell apart, but it ends with him reaching out to Catherine, giving her an apology. The letter encapsulates howSamantha has influenced Theodore’s life.
The Ending’s Lasting Impact
Her’sending is made even more poignant considering of the film’s connection with Sofia Coppola’s 2003 movie,Lost in Translation. It is widely known that Spike Jonze andSofia Coppolawere together for many years. The pair got married in 1999, but divorced a few years later. Viewers and critics alike have asserted thatHerandLost in Translationare in conversation with one another. InLost in Translation, Coppola’s female protagonist, Charlotte (coincidentally played by Scarlett Johansson) feels isolated from her husband. Alone in the foreign city of Tokyo, Charlotte feels cast aside by her husband, who is constantly wrapped up in work.Lost in Translationexplores the themes of loneliness, especially in relation to feeling ignored by a loved one.
Jonze’s 2013 movie also encapsulates the feeling of isolation. The movie explores Theodore’s loneliness and his struggle to understand why he and Catherine grew apart.Herentails a memorable conversation between the pair, in which Catherine asserts that their marriage fell apart because Theodore always wanted her to be the happy LA wife, but Theodore protests that this wasn’t the case.HerandLost in Translationoffer both perspectives of the end of a marriage.
Her’sfinal few moments capture Theodore and his friend Amy (Amy Adams) on the roof together. After separating from her partner, Amy had also become close friends with her OS, and is also feeling the impact of the device’s recent departure. The movie ends with Theodore and Amy looking out at the city together. Thoughthey are in one another’s company, it’s clear that both characters are feeling lonely. Following the emotional letter to Catherine, the scenes of Theodore and Amy on the roof are memorable, making it clear thatHerencapsulates the complexities of human relationships and how they are affected by navigating life in the technology-ridden age.
