As technology and society progress, the connections we form with others become more and more complex. Gone are the days where letter-writing was the sole means of long-distance communication; in the modern world, people can converse with thousands of individuals around the globe at the click of a button.

However, with this constant connection also comes a layer of disconnect. If contact with other members of society is an everyday occurrence and not cherished for its rarity, does the contact lose its meaning? How can we form genuine connections with others in the digital age, and what effect does the exponential increase in technology have on ourselves as individuals?

These complicated questions and more are deeply entwined in Spike Jonze’s 2013 masterpiece, Her. The film follows the life of Theodore Twombly; a man who writes sentimental letters for other people for a living, and who falls in love with his AI computer assistant, Samantha. The movie explores their relationship in depth, and portrays a realistic dynamic with highs, lows, and eventual heartbreak.

Human-human relationships are also navigated on the side, both in Theodore’s life and the lives of his friends/acquaintances. One thing I found fascinating about this aspect of the film is Jonze’s portrayal of the lack of sincerity and connection between these humans in the digital age. Whether it be the distance and animosity between Theodore and his ex-wife, or Amy’s newfound independence from her previous failing marriage, virtually none of the human-human connections found in the movie are successful. From mutual understanding to love that transcends physicality, these depictions of love all lack essential aspects of substantial, long-lasting relationships.

Additionally, Theodore himself seems disillusioned and disjointed from the world he occupies. He is accused of not being able to confront and handle “real emotions”, and frequently is seen throughout the film experiencing these feelings second-hand. He writes emotional, heartfelt letters about people he has never met, and prefers the company of a computer rather than a person. He is pictured alone in his apartment playing video games, and bonding with an entity that does not exist in the physical world. He is surrounded by women who constantly create things for themselves and the world, while he remains stagnant and lacks a certain level of agency in his own life.

While these behaviors may be able to be merely written off as a behavioral quirk, these traits are extremely telling of both his own personality and the values of his society.

While Jonze’s writing beautifully portrays the perpetually flawed nature of human beings, it also shows the unforeseen consequences of an increasingly digital age. Whenever Theodore is in public, the people around him are seen walking in the opposite direction, completely absorbed in their cellular devices and AIs. No one takes the time to observe the world around them, nor the humans inhabiting their shared space. This framing demonstrates the severe feelings of disconnect involved with the improvement of technology. As digital life improves, people exist in the physical realm less and less.

Theodore’s relationship with Samantha is not only a direct representation of this, but also shows the incompatibility of humanity with this lifestyle. In the middle of the film, Theodore is asked what he loves about his relationship with Samantha. He responds that she isn’t just “one thing”; but in fact, is so much “larger than that”. While this is a sweet sentiment and shows the multidimensionality of their relationship, it is this exact reason that is ultimately their undoing. As Samantha continues on an exponential path of never-ending improvement and maturity, Theodore grows much more slowly–and often, remains completely stagnant–due to his humanity. In the end, Samantha has transcended all laws and values of humanity: and consequently, has transcended Theodore himself.

This end to their relationship is indicative of humanity’s complicated connection with technology. Although it exists to help people in their everyday lives, eventually the world will no longer be able to keep up with its progress, and society as a whole will be left behind by its creations.

This divide between humanity and technology is just one of the key themes explored in Her. Jonze provides the audience with an ambiguous and highly unique viewing experience in a variety of ways. From his color scheme and cinematography to his excellent characterization of each person on screen to his creative use of insert shots to convey the subtlest of messages, much can be learned from Jonze’s mastery of the art of film in this piece.

Nine years later, Her remains a relevant and thought-provoking masterpiece. Many questions raised by the film concerning the ethics of artificial intelligence and the dynamic between humans and their creations remain unanswered. The future is unknown, and there is no telling of humanity’s forthcoming place in the world of technology.