Her
2013 · Directed by Spike Jonze
Original language: English
- romance
- science fiction
- drama
The story
In the not so distant future, Theodore, a lonely writer, purchases a newly developed operating system designed to meet the user's every need. To Theodore's surprise, a romantic relationship develops between him and his operating system. This unconventional love story blends science fiction and romance in a sweet tale that explores the nature of love and the ways that technology isolates and connects us all.
What it’s like
Soft, sun-warmed light fills the frame in a Los Angeles that feels slightly too clean, with pastel wardrobes, high-waisted trousers and rounded glass towers giving the city a gentle, retro-futurist sheen. The camera lingers in close, intimate framings on faces and empty apartments, and the image has a faint, soft grain that suits the warm, human texture of the world. The score is a tender drift of piano and strings, with long stretches of quiet where only the hum of a city or a voice fills the room. The vibe is wistful and tender, a bittersweet melancholy that drifts into quiet hope. Its pacing is unhurried and conversational, built for a rainy Sunday, a late evening alone, or a slow, reflective rewatch. Intensity is very low: there is no violence or gore, the sexual content is mostly implied and tasteful, and the emotional weight comes from loneliness and heartbreak rather than fear. The arc follows a lonely man slowly opening up to connection, and then having to face its limits. It suits people who want gentle, romantic science fiction that is thoughtful about how technology shapes intimacy, and who enjoy melancholy that stays kind.
More films like Her
Closest in mood, pacing and theme. Tell us why you loved Herand we’ll explain which ones fit you.
