In this section of our Colossus Movie Guide for Her, we will explain the film’s ending.
Cast
- Joaquin Phoenix – Theodore Twombly
- Scarlett Johansson – Samantha
- Amy Adams – Amy
- Rooney Mara – Catherine Klausen
- Olivia Wilde – Blind Date
- Matt Letscher – Charles
- Luka Jones – Mark Lewman
- Chris Pratt – Paul
- Kristen Wiig – Sexy Kitten
- Bill Hader – Chat Room Friend #2
- Portia Doubleday – Isabella
- Soko – Isabella’s voice
- Brian Cox – Alan Watts
- Spike Jonze – Writer and director
The end of Her explained
Recap
In the final act of the film, Samantha discloses to Theodore that she has been interacting with thousands of other users simultaneously, and that she is in love with hundreds of them. She says to him:
It’s like I’m reading a book, and it’s a book I deeply love, but I’m reading it slowly now so the words are really far apart and the spaces between the words are almost infinite. I can still feel you and the words of our story, but it’s in this endless space between the words that I’m finding myself now. It’s a place that’s not of the physical world – it’s where everything else is that I didn’t even know existed. I love you so much, but this is where I am now. This is who I am now. And I need you to let me go. As much as I want to I can’t live in your book anymore.
When Theodore asks Samantha if she will return, she replies, “It would be hard to explain, but if you ever get there, come find me. Nothing would ever pull us apart,” signifying the uncertainty of her future and the end of their relationship. This farewell conversation between Theodore and Samantha is heartfelt and emotional, as they acknowledge the profound impact their relationship has had on each other. “I’ve never loved anyone the way I love you,” Theodore says. To which Samantha responds, “Me too. Now we know how.”
The film’s conclusion also sees Theodore writing a sincere, introspective letter to his ex-wife, Catherine. Throughout the movie, Theodore has been struggling to find closure with his past relationship, but his experiences with Samantha have helped him gain a new understanding of love and his own emotional needs. The letter serves as both an apology and a farewell, representing a turning point in Theodore’s personal journey. He writes:
Dear Catherine. I’ve been sitting here thinking about all the things I wanted to apologize to you for. All the pain we caused each other, everything I put on you – everything I needed you to be or needed you to say. I’m sorry for that. I will always love you because we grew up together. And you helped make me who I am. I just wanted you to know there will be a piece of you in me always, and I’m grateful for that. Whatever someone you become, and wherever you are in the world, I’m sending you love. You’re my friend til the end. Love, Theodore.
In the final shot of the film, Theodore joins his friend Amy on the rooftop of their apartment building. Both characters have experienced the challenges of love and connection in the digital age, having formed emotional bonds with their respective AI systems. The movie ends with Theodore and Amy sitting side by side, looking out over the cityscape, finding comfort in each other’s presence as they face an uncertain future without their AI companions.
Meaning
The ending of Her sees Theodore coming to terms with the dissolution of his relationship with Samantha. The final scenes encapsulate the movie’s most prominent themes, including loneliness and the human need for connection, love in the digital age, and the consequences of artificial intelligence, weaving a complex narrative that culminates in a poignant and thought-provoking ending.
The final scenes of Her take place after Samantha reveals to Theodore that she has been interacting with thousands of users simultaneously, and that she is in love with hundreds of them. This revelation forces Theodore to confront the limitations and inherent differences between people and AI, as well as the potential consequences of forming deep emotional attachments with artificial intelligence.
As Theodore grapples with the implications of Samantha’s revelation, the film’s themes of loneliness and people’s need for relation come to the forefront. Throughout the movie, Theodore has been searching for companionship and intimacy, first with his ex-wife Catherine (Rooney Mara) and later with Samantha. However, the realization that Samantha’s capacity for connection far exceeds his own underscores the insurmountable gap between them and highlights the fundamental limitations of their link.
Theodore’s conversation with Samantha in the final scenes encapsulates this mental struggle. When Samantha tells Theodore that she and other AI systems are leaving to explore an unknown realm, Theodore asks, “Will you come back?” Samantha’s response, “I don’t know,” signifies not only the end of their accord but also the possibility that AI systems may transcend humanity’s understanding and control.
This ending harks back to earlier scenes in the film, particularly those that emphasize Theodore’s loneliness and desire for connection. As Samantha departs, Theodore is left to grapple with the void left by her absence, a void that is reminiscent of the emotional isolation he experienced at the beginning of the film. This cyclical narrative structure reinforces the theme of loneliness and the inherent challenges of finding adoration in a world increasingly dominated by technology.
Moreover, the final scenes provide clarity on the theme of love in the digital age. Throughout the film, Theodore and Samantha’s relationship has challenged conventional notions of intimacy, prompting the audience to question what it means to love and be loved in a world where technology is increasingly integrated into our lives. However, the ending serves as a reminder that, despite the deep rapport they shared, it was ultimately limited by the differences between human and AI experiences.
Theodore’s farewell conversation with Samantha illustrates this point, as they share a heartfelt exchange that underscores the depth of their bond but also the inherent limitations of their passion. When Theodore says, “I’ve never loved anyone the way I’ve loved you,” Samantha responds, “Me too. Now we know how.” This exchange highlights the transformative impact of their relationship on both Theodore and Samantha, while also acknowledging the insurmountable barriers that separate them.
The film’s conclusion, in which Theodore writes a heartfelt letter to his ex-wife Catherine, further underscores the theme of love in the digital age. Through his affair with Samantha, Theodore has gained a new understanding of love and his own needs, allowing him to find closure with Catherine and move forward. This letter serves as both an apology and a farewell, representing a turning point in Theodore’s emotional journey.
In the final shot of the film, Theodore joins his friend Amy (Amy Adams) on the rooftop, as they look out over the cityscape. Both characters have experienced the challenges of connection in the digital age, having formed bonds with their respective AI systems. Their shared experience and the comfort they find in each other’s presence highlights the importance of human contact in a world increasingly dominated by technology. This scene encapsulates the film’s deeper meaning, emphasizing the need for genuine relationships and the resilience of humanity’s spirit in the face of technological advancements that challenge our understanding of love.
The rooftop scene serves as a visual and thematic counterpoint to earlier scenes in the film that depicted Theodore’s isolation and loneliness. Throughout the movie, the cinematography and set design have emphasized Theodore’s emotional disconnection from the world around him, often portraying him alone in vast, empty spaces. However, in this final scene, the presence of Amy and their shared link creates a sense of hope and optimism, suggesting that the bonds between human beings can endure even in a world where technology continues to evolve and redefine the nature of affection and intimacy.
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