HER is more relevant and reflective of human nature today than ever

The story of Spike Jonze’s Her might demonstrate robotic love, but there is nothing about this film that is artificial. It’s an incredibly human, age-old tale, and its quirks only make it more authentic. Prepare for it to take up space in your memory storage for days.

Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix) is a lonely letter writer struggling to find meaning in life as he goes through a divorce. He downloads an operating system that is designed to meet all his needs, much like Apple’s “Siri,” and selects a female voice. She names herself Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johansson). 

The film easily could have chosen to focus only on Theodore’s struggle of finding meaning while falling in love with a human-like bot, and it still would have been good. But instead, we are introduced to a unique take of the story of a human romance. One with the ups and downs of any normal relationship. Samantha is never referred to as a thing, or it –– at least by Theodore. 

Samantha never feels like a computer. She has a child-like innocence as she learns about the world around her. She explores the meaning of life and love and emulates human emotions expertly. When Theodore –– nerdy with a bushy mustache and classic goggle-like glasses –– falls for her, it doesn’t feel strange. 

Her came to Netflix on October 1st, seven years after its initial premiere (2013). My first experience with the film about a year ago was simple. I thoroughly enjoyed it, marvelled at its beauty for the rest of the evening, then moved on. But it does not compare to the way I felt re-watching it more recently. Besides being able to appreciate the romantic colour pallet and genius score just the same, the carefully woven relationship between Theodore and Samantha felt more earnest, heart wrenching, and timely today. 

Samantha’s alienation of not having a physical body to express her love not only breaks your heart, but is all too real in its similarities to the current COVID-19 climate. Navigating our intimate relationships for the past six months have brought on many new challenges, including dating from a distance. The reality for many people has meant that their only opportunity to establish a connection with someone is virtually, through various social medias and/or dating apps. Although the situation is difficult, we remember that our partners aren’t any less human for existing online. And although Samantha may not have a physical heart, metaphorically her and   Theodore’s relationship is as real as any other romantic couple can be. 

The story of the intimate relationship between humans and AI is nothing new to audiences, especially with the abundance of similar sci-fi films being released in the last 10 years. Alex Garland’s Ex-Machina shows AI’s potential to manipulate our hearts and our minds. Denis Villeneuve’s Blade Runner 2049 comments on the blurring line between humans and computers. While all three films offer incredibly interesting takes on what the future of AI might hold for us, and even the meaning of life, Her makes the more optimistic argument: we are not turning into computers. We feel that we are too small and we think too much. We yearn to make connections more than anything else, so is it really that surprising that your computer can eventually be your best friend? Your lover? 

While the film makes the point that strong feelings of intimacy and love can exist without two physical bodies present, the viewing experience would not be the same without Joaquin Phoenix’s face. In fact, a close up of it is the very first shot of the film and it is breathtaking. His eyes have all the emotional attributes of someone who experiences life with a nihilistic approach, who struggles to comprehend the emotions present in a relationship. You feel his loneliness –– there is no one and nothing but him in that first shot. He speaks with such defeat. The first sound of Johansson’s voice is almost a shocking comparison –– sweet like honey. No one else’s voice could have the same effect. 

The story of Her is sad, haunting, fascinating, romantic, and most of all it is beautiful. It’s a true reminder of one of the biggest gifts we get to experience as humans: love. Like a pesky computer virus, this film will stick with you. 

Her is available to watch on Netflix or STARZ with a subscription, or can be rented for $4.99 on Prime Video.