I think it’s best to say that most futuristic films set, the world in a dystopian oppressive light. Shining focus on machines and artificial intelligence as evil, as seen in films such as The Matrix, Blade Runner and The Terminator. Spike Jonze takes a different approach with Her, however. Theodore, a writer falls in love with his OS or in other words his operating system, Samantha. Her, a film directed by Spike Jonze in 2013 doesn’t suggest technology as evil it simply mirrors Samantha as having that same yearning for knowledge and need for connection.

Voiced by Scarlett Johansson, Samantha’s voice is truly special as she evokes a whispered, almost head-like voice that feels soft and close by. Johansson is able to develop a character so much through voice alone, Her speech is imperfect but deeply sincere, controlled with a familiarity that feels real and comfortable just like her relationship with Theodore. Although she doesn’t have a body we believe in their love, making it no longer a relationship between man and machine, but a story of two seeking connection. The film frames Samantha as a living thing with her own thoughts and feelings adapting to wanting to be human, to wanting to being flawed. The collaborative work of director Spike Jonze, cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema, and production designer K.K. Barrett’s is where Her really redefines this world of AI. This version of future is saturated in a warm hue unlike most. Like a quiet ukulele melody under a vast night sky, this future reflects the same warmth and comfort in Samantha’s voice. While that technological domination is still there, it is framed alongside community and communication. Steering clear of the typical sci-fi trope of a high-tech future stripped of human interaction.

Colour isn’t just used in it’s surroundings but as a integral part to express thought and emotion. For me and most people, red is the definitive colour for this film. It’s warm, passionate and calming. It’s not a deep red but a soft, kind red that emits a smile. Red is something Theodore often sports representing his connection with Samantha or his longing for love. K.K. Barrett and costume designer Casey Storm also use red adjacent colors on the same spectrum to showcase other emotions seen with yellow and it’s symbolism to uncertainty.

We should hate Samantha but it’s through that imperfection of her character that we don’t. This questions the depth Samantha as an artificial intelligence goes to, to provoke such imperfection. There’s interestingly one scene, Theodore acknowledges this.

Theodore: Why do you do that

Samantha: What?

Theodore: Nothing. It’s… you go [imitates sigh] as you’re speaking. And it seems odd. You just did it again.

Samantha: Did I? Oh, I’m sorry. I don’t… I don’t know.

Theodore: I mean, you don’t need oxygen.

I love this scene because it’s the first interaction in their dynamic where it’s addressed, ‘he’s in love with his laptop’. However after this statement our opinion of Samantha doesn’t change, it doesn’t defame her. In fact it strengthens her character as adapting to be like us. Yet it’s doesn’t feel that twisted, it feels endearing. Samantha doesn’t need oxygen, she needs connection an effort so profound it’s moving.

Ultimately, Her isn’t just a story about a guy in love or a film set in a distant future. It’s a brief glimpse into grief, loneliness and of course love. The film takes pride in shining that focus on a future that isn’t cold and blue proving that technology doesn’t have alienate us but it mirrors us.