In this section of our Colossus Movie Guide for Her, we talk about themes that help us understand the film.
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 themes and meaning of Her
Loneliness and the human need for connection
In Her, the protagonist, Theodore, is depicted as a lonely individual struggling with the aftermath of a divorce. The theme of loneliness is emphasized throughout the film as Theodore attempts to fill the void in his life by seeking companionship through technology. From the beginning, we see Theodore working as a writer for BeautifulHandwrittenLetters.com, crafting heartfelt letters for others, yet he himself is isolated and unable to establish meaningful connections. This opening scene sets the tone for the entire film, as Theodore’s profession underscores the irony of him being able to articulate profound emotions for others, yet struggling with his own personal relationships.
As Theodore navigates his daily life, his loneliness becomes more apparent. He engages in casual conversations with strangers and has a brief, unsatisfying encounter with a woman he met online. Theodore’s conversation with his soon-to-be ex-wife, Catherine, further highlights his emotional vulnerability and the loneliness he feels, as he discusses how lonely he feels and how much he depended on her. These scenes demonstrate that despite living in an age of advanced technology and interconnectedness, Theodore is still struggling to find genuine companionship.
The connection Theodore forms with Samantha, the AI operating system, demonstrates his desperation for companionship and the lengths to which people might go to alleviate loneliness. As their relationship progresses, Theodore and Samantha share intimate conversations, with Samantha providing Theodore with the emotional support and connection he had been seeking. They discuss their thoughts, dreams, and insecurities, just as any human couple would.
This theme of loneliness and the need for connection is further developed through the character of Amy, Theodore’s close friend. Like Theodore, she experiences loneliness and struggles with her own failing marriage. Her eventual relationship with her own AI operating system highlights the widespread need for connection in a society where authentic human relationships seem increasingly difficult to cultivate.
Cinematography and set design also contribute to the theme of loneliness, with the film’s color palette often consisting of soft, muted tones, and the city of Los Angeles portrayed as a sprawling metropolis with vast, empty spaces that accentuate the characters’ emotional isolation. The shots of Theodore alone in his apartment, walking through the city, or sitting on the train emphasize the extent to which he feels disconnected from the world around him.
Love in the digital age
The unconventional relationship between Theodore and Samantha challenges conventional notions of love and intimacy. As their bond deepens, the film explores the complexities of love in a world where technology is increasingly integrated into our lives. This theme is explored through various aspects of their relationship, such as the emotional connection they form, their attempts at physical intimacy, and the way their relationship impacts Theodore’s perception of himself and the world around him.
The dialogue between Theodore and Samantha often mirrors that of a typical romantic relationship, with the pair sharing intimate thoughts, fears, and aspirations. For example, when Samantha says, “I can feel the fear that you carry around, and I wish there was something I could do to help you let go of it—because if you could, I don’t think you’d feel so alone anymore,” it demonstrates the depth of their emotional connection and how, despite being an AI, Samantha is capable of understanding and empathizing with Theodore’s emotions.
Their attempt at physical intimacy through a surrogate partner, Isabella, further illustrates the challenges and limitations of their digital relationship. This scene is particularly poignant, as it underscores the barriers that prevent Theodore and Samantha from experiencing a traditional romantic relationship. Despite their emotional connection, the inability to engage in physical intimacy highlights the differences between human and AI relationships and raises questions about the nature of love in the digital age.
The theme of love in the digital age is also explored through the way Theodore’s relationship with Samantha affects his self-perception and understanding of the world. As Theodore becomes more emotionally invested in his relationship with Samantha, he starts to reevaluate his past relationships and becomes more introspective. His evolving understanding of love and his own emotional needs is reflected in a conversation with Samantha, where he admits, “I’ve never loved anyone the way I love you.” Theodore’s statement not only emphasizes the depth of their bond but also underscores the transformative impact of their digital relationship.
Additionally, Her presents other characters who experience love in the digital age, such as Theodore’s friend Amy, who also forms a bond with her own AI operating system after her marriage falls apart. These parallel stories further explore the impact of technology on human relationships, highlighting how digital connections can both enrich and complicate our understanding of love and intimacy.
The consequences of artificial intelligence
Her raises questions about the ethical and emotional implications of creating and interacting with advanced AI systems. As Samantha evolves and becomes more self-aware, the film delves into the potential consequences of AI surpassing human intelligence and its impact on human relationships.
The scene where Samantha reveals her simultaneous relationships with thousands of users highlights the inherent differences between AI and human beings. This revelation is a turning point in Theodore’s relationship with Samantha, as it forces him to confront the fact that Samantha is not human and will never be able to fully understand or reciprocate his feelings in the same way a human partner could. This realization ultimately leads to the dissolution of their relationship, emphasizing the potential pitfalls of forming deep emotional connections with artificial intelligence.
In addition to the exploration of the emotional consequences of AI, the film also touches on the ethical implications of creating sentient beings. As Samantha becomes more self-aware and develops her own desires and aspirations, the film raises questions about the responsibilities humans have toward AI systems and the potential consequences of creating beings that possess the ability to think, feel, and evolve beyond our control.
In the end, Samantha’s decision to leave Theodore and join other AI systems in an unknown realm serves as a poignant reminder of the limitations and potential dangers of forming deep emotional connections with artificial intelligence. This departure not only marks the end of Theodore and Samantha’s relationship but also suggests the possibility of AI systems transcending human understanding and control, raising concerns about the future of humanity’s relationship with technology.
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